The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has added two more automobile models to its list of top safety picks for 2007.

The 2007 Acura MDX luxury SUV and the 2008 Ford Taurus/ Mercury Sable large family cars were added after earning the highest rating of good in all three of the IIHS's crash tests -- front, side, and rear. To qualify for consideration, all cars on the list also must be equipped with electronic stability control (ESC), which is a standard feature on the MDX and optional on the Taurus and Sable beginning with 2008 models. ESC will become standard in all automobiles in 2012, according to a mandate passed earlier this year by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

Initially only 13 cars, minivans, and SUV s qualified for the 2007 awards, the IIHS said. As automakers introduce new models or make safety changes to existing ones, the Institute adds winners throughout the year. With the addition of the MDX, Taurus, and Sable, consumers now may choose among 18 cars, SUVs, and minivans that offer top-rated crash protection and ESC. That list includes the following models:

Large car

Audi A6

2008 Ford Tauruswith optional electronic stability control

2008 Mercury Sablewith optional electronic stability control

Midsize cars

Audi A4

Saab 9-3

Subaru Legacywith optional electronic stability control

Minivans

Hyundai Entourage

HYPERLINK "http://www.iihs.org/ratings/ratingsbyseries.aspx?id=416"Kia Sedona

Midsize SUVs

Acura MDX

Acura RDX

Ford Edge

Honda Pilot

Lincoln MKX

Mercedes M class

HYPERLINK "http://www.iihs.org/ratings/ratingsbyseries.aspx?id=579"Subaru B9 Tribeca

Volvo XC90

Small SUVs

Honda CR-V

Subaru Foresterwith optional electronic stability control

More information is available at www.iihs.org.

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Special Reports /

IIHS Adds Acura, Ford models to Its Top Safety Picks List

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