Saab 9-4X Awarded Top Safety Pick by IIHS

While struggling to survive, the Swedish auto brand manages to still keep its head high gaining one accolade after another. Following the 9-5 Sedan, which received the same recognition some three weeks ago, the new Saab 9-4X Crossover has just been awarded with the highest rating for crashworthiness by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the United States.

Specifically, we are talking about the ‘Top Safety Pick’ award, which is given only to vehicles that achieve the highest rating (Good) in all four procedures of the test, and is fitted with ESP.

The test procedures include front impact (offset) and side impact crashes. Seat/head restraints are also tested in a simulated rear-end impact to assess protection against whiplash injuries and the roof structure is tested to assess vehicle rollover protection.

"To achieve two Top Safety Picks in three weeks is, of course, extremely gratifying," said Per Lenhoff, Head of Safety Development at Saab Automobile. "Our main priority is always the protection of real people in real accidents, but the IIHS tests are a valuable guide for consumers and it is important for us to achieve good results."

In the United States, the 9-4X crossover entry level price is $34,205 for front-wheel-drive and $48,835 for the 9-4X Aero XWD model.

“The Saab 9-4X brings car-like handling and ride qualities to the crossover segment. Key to its dynamic performance is a unique body structure, purpose-designed for a crossover application and free from compromises through adapting an existing sedan or wagon format,” Saab claims in a statement for the press.