The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety made the requirements for its Top Safety Pick Award more stringent for 2009, resulting in a third fewer vehicle recipients this year than last.

In 2008, vehicles were required to receive top scores for front and side impact testing, in addition to rear-impact whiplash protection and electronic stability control.

For 2009, however, there was an additional requirement for roof crush safety during rollover incidents. Roofs were expected to withstand four times the weight of the vehicle with crushing of less than five inches.

Large cars meeting the new standards include the Ford Taurus, Buick LaCrosse,Lincoln MKS, Volvo S80. Mid-sized models are the Chevrolet Malibus built after October 2009, the Audi A3, the Chrysler Sebring four-door with stability control, the Dodge Avenger with stability control, the Mercedes-Benz C-class, the Subaru Volvo C30.

Small cars selected were the Kia Soul, the Honda Civic four-door with stability control (except the Si), the Nissan Cube, the Subaru Impreza (except the WRX), and the Volkswagen Golf four-four. Qualifying mid-sized SUVs included the Dodge Journey, the Subaru Tribeca, the Volvo XC60, and the Volvo SC90. Small SUVs named were the Volkswagen Tiguan, the Honda Element, the Subaru Forester, and the Jeep Patriot.