Entire Subaru lineup a "Top Safety Pick" - IIHS

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 18 /CNW/ - The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a consumer watchdog organization that independently assesses current motor vehicles for effective occupant protection, has just announced that the entire Subaru product lineup - the 2010 Legacy, Outback, Impreza, Forester, and Tribeca - receives the IIHS "Top Safety Pick" designation for occupant protection. Subaru was the only automaker with an IIHS winner in all four vehicle classes in which it competes.

The number of such awards handed out by the IIHS in the most recent test round went down because, for the first time, good performance in a roof strength test to measure protection in a rollover was required to win. Top Safety Pick recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side, rear, and now rollover crashes based on good ratings in Institute tests. Winners also must have electronic stability control, which research shows significantly reduces crash risk.

"With the addition of our new roof strength evaluation, our crash test results now cover all four of the most common kinds of crashes," says Institute President Adrian Lund . "Consumers can use this list to zero in on the vehicles that are on the top rung for safety."

In all Subaru models, the foundation for outstanding occupant protection is the Advanced Ring-Shaped Reinforcement Frame unibody structure that disperses collision energy around and away from occupants. This design forms a series of rings around the passenger compartment, providing protection in a variety of collision types. High-tension steel side-impact door beams and impact-absorbing foam materials enhance side-impact safety performance.

Standard passive safety technology includes the Subaru advanced frontal air bag system (SRS), driver and front passenger seat-mounted side-impact air bags, and standard side curtain air bags. On select models a rollover sensor deploys the side curtain air bags if a vehicle rollover is imminent.

For more information about IIHS safety testing, and test results for the full line of Subaru vehicles, visit the IIHS website at www.iihs.org. To learn more about every Subaru and Symmetrical full-time All-Wheel Drive, go to www.subaru.ca.

Subaru Canada , Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan . Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of over 85 authorized dealers across Canada .

For further information: Elaine Griffin or Jen Giller, [phone]