That's on top of being one of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Picks for large cars, with optional electronic stability control, the 2008 Sable earned kudos from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).* In frontal and side crash test ratings, the 2008 Sable earned five stars - the highest possible score.

The frontal crash test, in which a vehicle is crashed into a fixed barrier at 35 miles per hour (mph), simulates a head-on collision between two similar vehicles, each moving at 35 mph.

The side crash test simulates an intersection-type collision. Crash-rating dummies representing an average-sized adult are placed in the driver and rear passenger seats (driver's side) and secured with the vehicle's safety belts. The side crash rating involves a 3,015-lb. barrier moving at 38.5 mph into a standing vehicle.

*Star ratings are part of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safercar.gov program (www.safercar.gov). 2008 vehicles produced on or after August 15, 2007.

This advanced feature can help you stay in control. AdvanceTrac® electronic stability control automatically applies the brakes and modulates engine torque to help maintain control whenever it detects wheelslip, understeer or oversteer. It also helps maintain more control in adverse road conditions such as ice, gravel or rain.* Sable also features the widest track in its class, helping provide enhanced stability. AdvanceTrac® electronic stability control is optional on Sable Premier and included in the optional Security Package on Sable.

*Remember that even advanced technology cannot overcome the laws of physics. It's always possible to lose control of a vehicle due to inappropriate driver input for the conditions.

Sable is the safest full-size sedan in America.* That's no surprise considering standard advanced protection features such as the Safety Canopy® system. This system's front-seat side-impact airbags** provide chest protection, while side-curtain airbags covering the windows on both rows of seats deliver head protection for all outboard passengers. If a rollover begins or a side-impact collision is under way, sensors determine within milliseconds which airbags to deploy.

Sable also comes with the standard Personal Safety System®, which offers enhanced protection for the driver and front passenger in certain frontal collisions. Using a network of sensors, deployment of the dual-stage front airbags is based on many detailed criteria. These details help the system deploy the front airbags in the right manner, at the right time.

*With optional electronic stability control. Based on National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) five-star frontal and side crash-test ratings, and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick.

**Always wear your safety belt and secure children in the rear seat.

Underneath its exterior are several structural features engineered to provide optimal occupant protection. Features include:

• Side Protection And Cabin Enhancement Architecture® (SPACE) helps divert crash energy away from you and your passengers and under the seats.
• Safety-cage construction transfers crash energy to the high-strength ring of steel that surrounds the passenger compartment.
• A front bumper plate and side-intrusion beams help limit intrusions into the passenger compartment.
• Laser-welded steel sheets enhance the strength of the front frame rails.

A little help securing your most precious cargo. Sable features Lower Anchors and Tether anchors for CHildren (LATCH) for outboard second-row seat positions. Designed for ease of use, these anchors help you properly secure infant and child safety seats, while helping ensure your confidence.