The Car Exam News #6 - The Ford Fiesta is a Top Safety Pick, the 2011 Toyota Highlander, Toyota recalls Corolla/Matrix

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The 2011 Ford Fiesta is an IIHS Top Safety Pick

The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) announced Wednesday that the 2011 Ford Fiesta sedan and hatchback earned its award for Top Safety Pick. The Fiesta is the first minicar to earn the Institute’s Top Safety Pick award since the Institute added a roof strength requirement for rollover protection, which is quite impressive.

However, it should be noted that the IIHS is only including Fiestas built after July 2010 because Ford made distinct design changes to increase the strength of the outside door handles in order to minimize the chance of doors opening in side impact crashes. If you are a consumer in the market for a Fiesta, you may wish to inspect the manufacturer’s tag on the car (probably somewhere on the door sill or opening on the driver’s side door) to find the manufacture date of the car—if having the enhanced Fiesta it of the utmost importance to you.

Source: IIHS.org (8/25/10)


Toyota debuts the 2011 Highlander at the Moscow Motor Show

Toyotainthenews.com is reporting that the 2011 Toyota Highlander made its debut at the Moscow Motor Show. Although it is not the U.S. version, it is closer to it and the U.S. model may get the same minor design changes: a new grille, headlights, hood and front facia (the 2010 U.S. model it pictured above). The 2011 Highlander should still have the same engine choices currently offered: a 187 hp, 2.7L four-cylinder engine, a 208 hp (156 kW) 3.3 liter Hybrid/V6 engine, and a 270 hp, 3.5-liter double overhead cam V6 engine. The 2011 Highlanders should go on sale soon.

Source: Toyotainthenews.com (8/26/10)





Toyota recalls the 2005-2008 Corolla and Matrix

The Christian Science Monitor is reporting that Toyota is recalling the 2005-2008 Corolla and Matrix due to engine stalling issues (improperly manufactured electronic control modules may engines to stall while the cars are moving). Apparently, Toyota has received about 1,000 complaints about the problem. Toyota should start contacting owners about a fix for the recalled cars by the middle of September.

Source: The Christian Science Monitor (8/26/10)

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