Among five 2005 model midsize sedans, the Audi A4 with standard side airbags and the Chevrolet Malibu equipped with optional side airbags earn good ratings. They also earn the "best pick" designation in side impact crash tests recently conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Volvo S60 earns the second highest rating of acceptable. The Suzuki Verona and Nissan Maxima are marginal. No vehicle in this group is rated poor.

The A4, which also is a "best pick" in the Institute's frontal offset crash test, becomes only the second car to earn this designation in both tests. Along with the Saab 9-3, it's a "double best pick."

"The Institute's side impact test is severe, reflecting what happens when vehicles are hit in the side by a pickup or SUV," says Institute chief operating officer Adrian Lund. "These latest test results show that more and more manufacturers are improving their vehicles to better protect occupants in side impact crashes."

The Institute now rates nine midsize car designs good for side impact protection.

Testing of the A4 and S60 was delayed from the Institute's first round of side tests of midsize cars conducted last year. The automakers asked for the delay because design changes were under way to improve side impact protection. The Maxima test also was delayed because of planned design changes, but those changes weren't implemented. The Verona and Malibu were retested to update results from last year because the manufacturers added new side airbags, which are standard on the Verona and optional on the Malibu.

Five more midsize models will be tested in side impacts later this year. The Acura TSX, BMW 3 series, and Infiniti G35 will have new design features added to improve side impact protection. The completely redesigned Lexus IS 300 and Volkswagen Passat will be introduced later in 2005.

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