SUBARU'S new Forester has won a top safety award in the United States, scoring the highest marks for side, rear and offset frontal impact-protection.

The US-market Forester has earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's 2008 Top Safety Pick' award.

To win, the vehicle must offer superior overall crash protection among the vehicles in its class, not only registering the highest marks in front, side and rear tests but be equipped with electronic stability control.

Institute president, Adrian Lund, said: "The performance of the Forester underscores Subaru's commitment to delivering state-of-the-art safety to its customers."

He added: "You don't know what kind of crash you are going to be in. That's why it's important to choose a vehicle that will protect you in all kinds of crashes. The Top Safety Pick' designation is intended to help people find the safest choices."

The institute's frontal crashworthiness evaluations are based on the results of a 40mph offset accident, while the side impact is measured by a moving barrier colliding at 31mph. Rear crash protection tests a stationary vehicle's head-restraint and seat effectiveness at an impact of 20mph. Meanwhile, Lawrence Good, managing director of Subaru (UK), said: "This is excellent news and perfectly timed just as the UK version of the new Forester is about to go on sale.

"The tests are respected worldwide and it is also worth noting that both the US and UK Foresters are Japanese-built and therefore share the same basic potential life-saving features."