(June 19, 2011) ROYAL OAK, Mich. (PRNewswire) — The Saab 9-5 sedan earned the "Top Safety Pick," the highest rating for crashworthiness in the United States today by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), a research and communications organization funded by auto insurers in the U.S.

IIHS performs full tests for front impact (offset) and side impact crashes. Seat/head restraints also undergo a simulated rear impact conducted on a sled to assess protection against whiplash injuries and the roof structure tested to assess vehicle rollover protection.

Vehicles are rated as "Good", "Acceptable", "Marginal" or "Poor" in the various categories. To receive the "Top Safety Pick" award, cars must achieve the highest rating in all four categories and should also be fitted with stability control.

"We are very pleased with the 9-5's performance. IIHS is an independent body and the results of their tests are easily accessible and objective information for car buyers. It is therefore important for us to achieve good results in this type of testing," says Per Lenhoff, Head of Safety Development at Saab Automobile.

"Our main priority, however, will always be to protect real people in real accidents, not just to do well in crash tests. It's the core of our Real-Life Safety philosophy," continues Per Lenhoff.

The Saab 9-5 Sedan had already received the highest rating, five stars, in the crash tests conducted by the European New Car Assessment Program, EuroNCAP.