Acura MDX, Ford Taurus 'top safety picks'

ARLINGTON, Va., May 14 (UPI) -- The 2007 Acura MDX luxury sport-utility vehicle and the 2008 Ford Taurus sedan got top scores in crash tests, a U.S. insurance report said Monday.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a non-profit organization funded by auto insurers, gave its highest rating of "good" to the vehicles, built by Honda Motor Co. and Ford Motor Co., respectively.

The MDX, Taurus and Taurus twin Mercury Sable received the Institute's "top safety pick" award, given to vehicles that receive the highest scores in front-, side- and rear-impact tests and have electronic stability control.

"It's only relatively recently that research has shown the dramatic benefits of ESC in preventing crashes," institute President Adrian Lund said.

The Taurus replaces the Ford Five Hundred, which received the "top safety pick" designation in 2006 but was passed over in 2007 when the institute tightened award criteria to include stability control.

ESC is optional on the 2008 Taurus and Sable, which also offer side air bags with head protection as standard equipment, the institute said.