The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently conducted safety tests of convertibles for the first time.

Ten midsize convertible models were tested for crash protection, and the winners of the top safety pick award went to the Saab 9-3 and the Volvo C-70. Both models earned a “good” rating for protection in front, side, and rear crashes.

"We wanted to test convertibles because sales are increasing," said IIHS President Adrian Lund in a release. "We also wanted to evaluate a group of vehicles that automakers wouldn't expect us to test to see if crashworthiness improvements in mainstream cars also are being built into convertibles. For the most part we found that this is happening."

Frontal crashworthiness evaluations were based on results of 40 mph offset crash tests. Side crash tests used a barrier representing the front end of a pickup truck or SUV to strike the vehicle at 31 mph. The rear crash tests simulated a collision in which a stationary vehicle was struck in the rear at 20 mph.

In other crash results, side impact protection was rated marginal for the BMW 3 series, the Audi A4, and the Pontiac G6 convertible models. Eight of the models rated poor or marginal for rear crash protection.

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