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Companies with the strongest showing included Subaru, which got top ratings for all five models it sells in the U.S. Toyota Motor North America got the most top picks, with 15 of its Toyota, Lexus and Scion models. That includes a top pick rating for the first time for the redesigned 2012 Camry. The Camry also got a 5-star rating in tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — more difficult now that those tests have been toughened for 2012 models.

Strong improvement from Honda

IIHS also cited Honda of America for the most improvement. Of the 18 vehicles new to top safety pick status this year, 10 of them were Honda or Acura models. “Honda buckled down and upgraded roofs on 10 models that missed winning last year because of rollover protection,” says IIHS President Lund.

If you are shopping, you can find a top pick model in almost every category. Among high-mileage green cars, the Toyota Prius V — the bigger version of the original Prius — qualifies. So do the plug-in Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt. IIHS is keeping its top rating for the Voltdespite an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration into battery fires after Volt crash tests. The Institute says it found no special battery problems during or after its crash tests.

Safe bigger vehicles

Among bigger vehicles, three pickups got top rating: The Ford F-150 crew cab models, the Honda Ridgeline and the Toyota Tundra crew cab. Minivans offer an even bigger choice: Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna and Volkswagen Routan all got the top rating

Here is a full list of vehicles that got the top safety pick designation:

Minicars
Fiat 500 built after July 2011
Ford Fiesta sedan & hatchback
Honda Fit
Toyota Yaris 4-dr hatchback

Small cars
Chevrolet Cruze, Sonic, Volt<
Ford Focus
Honda Civic 4-dr
Honda CR-Z, Insight
Hyundai Elantra
Kia Forte sedan
Kia Soul
Lexus CT 200h
Mazda 3 sedan & hatchback
Mini Cooper Countryman
Mitsubishi Lancer (except Ralliart & Evolution)
Nissan Cube, Juke, Leaf
Scion tC, xB, xD
Subaru Impreza except WRX
Toyota Corolla, Prius
Volkswagen Golf 4-dr
Volkswagen GTI 4-dr

Midsize moderately priced cars
Audi A3
Buick Verano
Chevrolet Malibu
Chrysler 200 4-dr
Dodge Avenger
Ford Fusion
Honda Accord
Hyundai Sonata
Kia Optima
Subaru Legacy, Outback
Toyota Camry, Prius v
Volkswagen Jetta sedan
Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen

Midsize luxury/near luxury cars
Acura TL built after Sept. 2011
Acura TSX sedan & wagon
Audi A4
Lincoln MKZ
Mercedes C-Class
Volkswagen CC except 4wd
Volvo S60

Large family cars
Buick LaCrosse, Regal
Chrysler 300
Dodge Charger
Ford Taurus
Toyota Avalon

Large luxury cars
Audi A6
BMW 5 series except 4wd & V8
Cadillac CTS sedan
Hyundai Equus
Infiniti M except M56x 4wd
Lincoln MKS
Mercedes E-Class sedan
Mercedes E-Class coupe
Saab 9-5
Volvo S80

Small SUVs
Honda CR-V
Hyundai Tucson
Jeep Patriot with optional side torso airbags
Kia Sportage
Subaru Forester
Volkswagen Tiguan