Testing! Here are the 10 most crash-worthy cars

WASHINGTON — Ten 2006 passenger cars have won praise from the insurance industry for offering top-of-the-line protection to passengers in front, side and rear crashes.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently announced a new designation, the Top Safety Pick award, based on the performance of vehicles in crash tests.

Winners of the institute's gold award included the Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego with optional side air bags; the Saab 9-3; the Subaru Legacy; and the Honda Civic four-door.

The Five Hundred and Montego are corporate twins and were considered by the institute to be the same car, for award purposes.

Safety awards

The 2006 passenger cars that offer the best protection to passengers in front, side and rear crashes.

Gold award winners

Ford Five Hundred */ Mercury Montego * (considered same car)
Saab 9-3
Subaru Legacy
Honda Civic four-door

Silver award winners

Audi A3, A4, A6
Chevrolet Malibu *
Volkswagen Jetta, Passat

* The models with optional side air bags.

Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

They earned top scores in frontal offset and side-impact tests, and a test that reviews seat and head restraints in rear crashes.

The silver award went to the Audi A6, Audi A3 and Audi A4; the Chevrolet Malibu with optional side air bags; and the Volkswagen Jetta and Passat.

The institute recognized vehicles that won top marks in front and side crash tests, plus the second-highest mark in seat and head restraint ratings.

The awards, which consider a vehicle's overall safety, replace the institute's previous practice of providing "best pick" designations for vehicles in each of the three tests.

The institute's president, Brian O'Neill, said the awards will help consumers quickly compare vehicles without having to review multiple sets of tests.