ARLINGTON, VA --- The 2010 models of the Dodge Journey, Lincoln MKT and Mazda 3 are the newest Top Safety Pick award winners, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety announced. 

To qualify for Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must earn the highest rating of "good" in the institute's front, side and rear crash tests and must be equipped with electronic stability control. 

Criteria to win are tough because the award is intended to drive continued safety improvements such as top crash test ratings and the rapid addition of electronic stability control, the IIHS said. ESC is standard on the Dodge Journey and Lincoln MKT, and optional on the Mazda 3. 

"Recognizing vehicles at the head of the class for safety helps consumers distinguish the best overall choices without having to sort through multiple test results," said Institute President Adrian Lund.

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