Claims News Service, March 7, 8:58 a.m. EST — According torecent front, side, and rear impact tests by the InsuranceInstitute for Highway Safety, the BMW 3 series and Lexus IS are thesafest midsize cars on the road.

Seven new or redesigned midsized vehicles were tested in thestudy: three moderately priced cars — Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata,and Pontiac G6 — and four luxury/near luxury cars — Acura TSX, BMW3 series, Infiniti G35, and Lexus IS. The BMW 3 series and Lexus ISearned the “Top Safety Pick” for their good performance in frontand side crash tests, plus acceptable ratings for their seat/headrestraint designs in rear tests. The Ford Fusion, tested withoutits optional side airbags, earned the lowest ratingsaltogether.

The frontal evaluations were based on results from the collidingvehicle traveling at 40 mph. The overall side evaluations weregauged on each car's performance when their sides were struck by abarrier, representing the front end of a pickup or SUV, moving at31 mph. The rear test simulated a collision in which a stationaryvehicle was struck from behind at 20 mph.