SOUTH Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia and Germany’s Volkswagen lead the US insurance industry’s annual list of the safest new vehicles on the road.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently recognised 66 vehicles with its “top safety pick award” for the 2011 model year, the most-ever awarded by the Virginia-based group. The number was more than double the 27 vehicles selected last year.

Volkswagen, with its Audi brand, and Hyundai Motor Corporation and its affiliate Kia Motors received the most IIHS awards with nine each.

General Motors, Ford and Toyota Motor followed with eight awards each.

The awards, typically used in advertising to attract car buyers, will bolster Hyundai and Volkswagen as they attempt to build a larger US foothold.

Hyundai’s Genesis sedan, Sonata midsize and Santa Fe and Tucson sport utility vehicles picked up awards, while Kia was recognised for the Optima midsize car, the Forte and Soul small cars, and the Sorento and Sportage SUVs.

Volkswagen won plaudits for the Jetta and Jetta SportWagen, the Golf and GTI small cars and the Touareg and Tiguan SUVs. Audi’s A3 and A4 sedans and Q5 SUV also made the list.

Subaru and Chrysler received five awards apiece while Volvo and Mercedes had four. Subaru was the only automaker to win awards in every vehicle category in which it competes. Nissan and Honda had two awards each and Mitsubishi and BMW had one.

Toyota, which has grappled with several high-profile recalls during the past year, scored with the Toyota Avalon, Corolla, Sienna, Highlander and Venza; the Lexus RX; and the Scion tC and xB. Toyota said its eight safety picks were “reflective of our ongoing commitment to developing safe and reliable vehicles for our customers”.

The vehicles were chosen for protection in front, side and rear crash tests. To qualify for the award, the insurance industry group also requires the vehicles to have anti-rollover electronic stability control, or ESC, and receive top scores in roof strength tests.