2011 Top Safety Picks
Vehicles that perform best in our evaluations qualify for Top Safety Pick, which has been awarded since the 2006 model year, or Top Safety Pick+, which was inaugurated in 2013.
These awards identify the best vehicle choices for safety within size categories during a given year. Larger, heavier vehicles generally afford more protection than smaller, lighter ones. Thus, a small car that qualifies for an award might not protect its occupants as well as a bigger vehicle that doesn't earn the award.
Small cars
Top Safety Pick
2011-12 Volkswagen Golf 4-door hatchback
4-door models
Top Safety Pick
2011-12 Volkswagen GTI 4-door hatchback
4-door models
Midsize cars
Top Safety Pick
2011-12 Volkswagen Jetta 4-door sedan
Top Safety Pick
2011-12 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen 4-door wagon
Top Safety Pick
2012 Volkswagen Passat 4-door sedan
Midsize luxury cars
Top Safety Pick
2011-12 Volkswagen CC 4-door sedan
Does not apply to 4-wheel drive models.
Small SUVs
Top Safety Pick
2011-12 Volkswagen Tiguan 4-door SUV
Large SUVs
Top Safety Pick
2011-12 Volkswagen Touareg 4-door SUV
Minivans
Top Safety Pick
2012 Volkswagen Routan minivan
2011 criteria
To qualify for 2011 Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must earn good ratings in the moderate overlap front, original side, roof strength and head restraint tests and must offer electronic stability control.