2010 Hyundai Genesis, Mercedes-Benz E-Class Earn Top Safety Pick Prizes

ARLINGTON, Virginia — The 2010 Hyundai Genesis and the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have earned 2010 Top Safety Pick awards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety after making modifications to boost safety.

Hyundai made changes to the roof structure of the 2010 Genesis to improve protection in rollover crashes, the IIHS noted in a statement. The award applies to Genesis models built after January. In the Institute's roof strength test, a metal plate is pushed against one side of a roof at a constant speed. To earn a "good" rating, the roof must withstand a force of four times the vehicle's weight before reaching 5 inches of crush.

Separately, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the federal government's auto safety watchdog, has given the 2010 Genesis the highest five-star rating in all categories tested. They include rollover crashes, as well as front and side crashes.

The E-Class was singled out for praise by the IIHS, which noted that this is the first time the Mercedes-Benz large luxury car has earned the Institute's top safety designation. "Earlier this year, design changes were made to the padding in the front and rear doors to improve protection in side-impact crashes," the IIHS said in a statement.

It said that the Top Safety Pick award applies to E-Class models built after March 2010.

Separately, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2010 E-Class the highest five-star ratings in side crash testing and rollover crash testing, but only four stars in front crash testing.

Inside Line says: Some important safety information if you're shopping in the large-luxury-car class. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent