Looks like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has a new comprehensive safety rating system out. Top vehicles are rated Silver and Gold and the Gold rating requires excellent performance on front, side and a new rear/whiplash crash test.

The 2006 Honda Civic received a Gold rating and is in very elite company with that rating. Check it out:

http://www.iihs.org/news/2005/pr120405.html