Hybrid Car Review

The 2010 Toyota Prius and 2010 Honda Insight (with the optional electronic stability control) were both awarded Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

To qualify for Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must earn the highest rating of good in the Institute's front, side, and rear tests and be equipped with electronic stability control. Criteria to win are tough because the award is intended to drive continued safety improvements such as top crash test ratings and the rapid addition of electronic stability control, which is standard on the Prius and optional on the Insight.

"Recognizing vehicles at the head of the class for safety helps consumers distinguish the best overall choices without having to sort through multiple test results," says Institute president Adrian Lund.

Honda Insight Test
In the Insight frontal test, dummy movement was well controlled. The driver side curtain and side torso airbags deployed during the crash. During rebound, the dummy’s head contacted the side curtain airbag, which kept the head away from any stiff structure that could cause injury. Measurements show a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.

In the side impact test, Injury measures for the driver indicate that rib fractures would be possible in a crash of this severity. The risk of significant injuries to other body regions is low. The rear passenger tests indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.

The driver's head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side curtain airbag that deployed from the roof. While the rear passenger head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side curtain airbag that deployed from the roof.

Toyota Prius Test
The Toyota Prius test was conducted using frontal crash test verification. Since previous versions of the Prius earned a Good rating, the manufacturers testing was verified by the Insurance Institute, rather than conducting the test themselves.

The dummy in the frontal test indicate low risk of injuries to the neck, chest, and both legs regions. A high head acceleration occurred when the dummy's head hit the steering wheel through the airbag, indicating that head injuries would be possible. Head acceleration from the B-pillar hit was low.

In the side impact test, driver and rear passenger measures indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity. Both the driver's and rear passenger head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side curtain airbag that deployed from the roof.