Small Cars With Top Safety Ratings

Now there's good news - the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has named six small cars, including two hybrids, for the Top Safety Pick designation.

The vehicles are:

• 2012 Ford Focus
• 2012 Honda Civic
• 2011 Hyundai Elantra
• 2011 Lexus CT 200h hybrid
• 2011 Nissan Juke
• 2011 Toyota Prius

Criteria to win include top ratings of Good in front, side, rear and roof-strength crash tests. The vehicle must also have electronic stability control.

Frontal crash-worthiness is based on a 40 MPH frontal-offset crash test.

Side evaluation is based on a vehicle being struck by a barrier moving at 31 mph.

Seat and head restraints are tested using a dummy that measures forces on the neck, simulating a collision in the rear at 20 mph.