Saab has won the 2008 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick Award in the mid-sized category with its new 9-3. All models, including the Sport Sedan, SportCombi and convertible, picked up the prize. The Saab 9-3 performed well in both front and side crash tests and reflects Saab’s commitment to vehicle safety.

The institute rates vehicles as good, acceptable, marginal or poor based on performance in high-speed front- and side-impact crash tests. It also evaluates seat and head restraints for protection against neck injuries. The winning vehicles must earn good ratings in all three tests and offer electronic stability control to be eligible for the top score, reports Automotive News.

This is the fourth consecutive year that the 9-3 Sport Sedan has won top honors from the Insurance Institute having won the 2007, 2006 and 2005 award previously.