Audi, VW, Subaru top U.S. crash tests

ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 7 (UPI) -- The 2006 models of the Audi A3, Volkswagen Passat and Subaru Legacy have topped the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's front and side crash tests.

"The structural performances of the A3 and Passat in the side impact were good -- impressive because most vehicles we've tested so far have allowed way too much intrusion," said Institute chief operating officer Adrian Lund. "The structures of the VW Jetta and Audi A6 also are good, which indicates that this automaker has made the effort to design strong side structures that help protect people in crashes."

The 2005-06 Ford Five Hundred/Mercury Montego, a large car, also earned good overall ratings in both tests but didn't earn the "best pick" designation in the side impact.

The automakers requested the side tests of the four cars in this round earlier than the institute's normal test schedule, and Volkswagen and Audi also asked for the frontal tests.

"We encourage this when manufacturers have new designs they expect will perform well," Lund said. "This way the test results will be released earlier, as consumers are beginning to shop for new models."