Everyone knows which cars are fast - Corvettes, Mustangs, Mitsubishi Evos - but which new cars are the safest cars on the road? According to government (www.nhtsa.dot.gov) and insurance industry (www.iihs.org) crash test data, the following cars are among the safest on the road in terms of their ability protect their occupants from being killed or injured in a crash:

Large sedans

Ford Crown Victoria/Mercury Grand Marquis (base price $24,410): These full-size, rear-drive sedans have long been at or near the very top of the list, offering room for six and standard V-8 power, in addition to being one of the safest places to be in during an accident, with a highest possible five-star rating for protection in frontal impacts and a best-possible "Good" rating from the IIHS in frontal offset crash testing. Sometimes, size does matter.

2005 Ford Crown Victoria by Eric Peters (11/22/2004)
The last of its kind, but a long life left in it.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class (base price $50,500): Vault-like heavy steel construction and the presence of state-of-the-art passenger protection systems, including head and torso-protecting side-impact airbags, make the E-Class extremely safe at any speed. These features also helped earn the E-Class an IIHS "Best Pick" rating among cars in its price/size range.

2005 Mercedez-Benz E320 CDI by Marc K. Stengel (3/22/2004)
Diesel gains luster and appeal.

Volvo S80 (base price $36,365): Sweden 's biggest automaker continues to build some of the most crashworthy vehicles you can buy at any price. The S80 received the highest possible scores in both government and IIHS crash testing and offers buyers the flexibility of available all-wheel drive and fuel-efficient but powerful turbocharged in-line five- and six-cylinder engines.

2002 Volvo S80 2.9 Sedan by Paul Wiley Cockerham (2/11/2002)
Did someone say safe sex?

Mid-size sedans

2003 Honda Accord  |  

2004 Honda Accord Coupe by Bengt Halvorson (9/29/2003)
A bourgeois bargain calling out to a more sophisticated audience: Anyone out there?

Toyota Camry (base price $19,295): Available, with side curtain airbags - an unusual feature in the family-car class - the Camry earned five stars for front seat occupant protection in government crash tests and was named a "Best Pick" by the IIHS. The Camry also offers available high-end features such as a GPS navigation system, and a punchy 3.3-liter, 225-hp V-6 engine.

Mitsubishi Galant (base price $18,999): Comparable in size, roominess and power to the segment powerhouses - Honda's Accord and the Toyota Camry - the Galant also offers comparable levels of crash protection, earning a Five-Star rating in most crash tests and an overall IIHS Rating of "Good" (the highest possible) in a more aggressively styled, different drummer shape.

2004 Mitsubishi Galant by Marty Padgett (10/20/2003)
Moving from the grandstands to center court?