ARLINGTON, VA -- Three new vehicles performed well in a recent series of frontal offset crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Two cars, the Volvo S40 and BMW 5 series, earned overall ratings of good. A new large pickup design, the Nissan Titan, also earned a good rating.

All three of these vehicles earned the designation of "best pick" for frontal crash protection.

"Most new vehicles now are earning good ratings in the institute's frontal offset test," said Adrian Lund, the institute's chief operating officer. "Of the vehicles we've tested so far this year, eight are rated good and two are acceptable. This means most new vehicle designs are offering much better protection than older designs for occupants in serious frontal crashes."

Vehicle ratings reflect performance in 40 mph frontal offset crash tests into a deformable barrier. Based on the results, the institute evaluates the crashworthiness of passenger vehicles, assigning each vehicle a rating from good overall to poor.

If a vehicle earns a good rating, this means that in a real-world crash of similar severity a belted driver most likely would be able to walk away with only minor injuries, the institute said.