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Whiplash: Nobody Awarded IIHS "Top Safety Pick" for 2007

ARLINGTON, Va. — The 2007 Dodge Caliber is a "much better performer" in crash tests than the Neon it replaces, but it still isn't good enough to earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's coveted "Top Safety Pick" award.

In new crash results released Sunday, the research group said none of the vehicles it recently studied were good enough to win top honors, not even the redesigned 2007 Toyota Camry sedan, which earned high marks for front- and side-impact crash protection, but only a "marginal" grade in rear-crash protection.

IIHS gave the Caliber a "marginal" overall rating, an improvement from the "poor" rating of the Neon, due to better head protection.

Kia Motor's 2006 Optima sedan was the only vehicle in this round of testing to earn a "good" rating for rear-crash protection, which protects against whiplash. The Optima also earned the same score for frontal crashes, but side impact tests have been delayed until later this year so Kia can improve its side performance, the Institute said.

The 2006 Lincoln Zephyr earned an "acceptable" rating for frontal and side crash protection, but a "marginal" grade for rear-crash protection. The Institute said the Zephyr "isn't competitive" against other vehicles in its class when it comes to safety. "Spending more money doesn't necessarily mean you'll get more safety," said Institute President Adrian Lund.

The 2006 Toyota RAV4 earned good ratings for front and side crashes, but like the Camry, was considered "marginal" for whiplash protection.

The 2006 Hyundai Tucson/ Kia Sportage was rated "acceptable" for front and side crashes and "poor" for rear-crash protection.

What this means to you: Side airbags are becoming more common, and crash tests are proving that this is a better way to protect a vehicle's occupants. But more work needs to be done.

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