AUBURN HILLS, MI - Dodge Durango has been named a "Top Safety Pick" for 2011 by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). 

The IIHS recognizes vehicles that perform "good" in front, side, rollover and rear crash test evaluations performed at its Vehicle Research Center in Virginia. This award applies to Durango models built after May 2011. 

Additionally, to be considered, vehicles also must have available electronic stability control systems, which, research has shown, significantly reduce crash risks. 

The all-new 2011 Dodge Durango offers drivers 45 safety and security features, including standard electronic stability control (ESC), which delivers three security features to improve overall vehicle stability both on- and off-road: electronic roll mitigation (ERM), which reacts and applies brakes during extreme situations, and hill-start assist (HSA), which works with standard trailer-sway control (TSC) to enhance off-road and towing capabilities.

Other safety and security features available on the 2011 Dodge Durango include blind spot monitoring (BSM) and rear cross path (RCP) detection, which aid drivers when they’re changing lanes or parking. In addition, Durango features standard seat-mounted and side-curtain air bags in the front row. The curtain air bag extends protection to second- and third-row passengers. Durango also includes standard front-row active head restraints. Additionally, drivers can remotely lower third-row headrests to enhance rear visibility when the seats are not occupied. 

"The Durango is the eighth vehicle from Chrysler to earn the institute’s highest safety honor," said IIHS president Adrian Lund. "The performance of the Durango means buyers are getting the best protection in the most common kinds of crashes, and electronic stability control for avoiding many crashes altogether." 

The new Durango joins seven other vehicles from Chrysler Group LLC that are Top Safety Picks for 2011. Earlier this year, the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger were named "Top Safety Pick" by the IIHS.

In selecting the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the IIHS noted the addition of torso airbags to bolster side crash protection to the vehicle’s list of safety features. Chrysler 200 sedan, Dodge Avenger and Journey return to the list of IIHS "Top Safety Pick" for the third straight year. Jeep Patriot is also a "Top Safety Pick" when equipped with available seat-mounted side airbags.