Rollover ratings for 2006 model sport utility vehicles (SUVs) show a marked improvement over 2005, according to a recent announcement by the Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The rating results also point to an unprecedented number of SUVs with electronic stability control (ESC) in 2006.

For the 2006 model year, 39 SUVs (42 percent of those rated) earned four stars in NHTSA's rollover rating program. In 2005, 34 percent received four stars. For the 2006 model year, 57 SUVs (69 percent of all SUV models) offer ESC as standard equipment, up from 43 percent in 2005.

Earlier research by NHTSA documented the potential life-saving benefits of ESC, reducing single vehicle crashes by 63 percent for SUVs and 30 percent for passenger cars.

"We have worked hard to encourage automakers to install the kind of safety technology needed to make cars safer, prevent crashes and save lives," said Acting NHTSA Administrator, Jacqueline Glassman.

Since 2004, NHTSA has encouraged manufacturers to voluntarily install ESC because of its life-saving potential. As a result, nearly all automakers now offer ESC on a total of 57 SUV models as standard equipment, and on six SUVs as an available option, up from 20 standard and 14 optional in 2003.

NHTSA uses a five-star rating system, which ranks the likelihood of a rollover in a single vehicle crash. The top score is five stars, representing a rollover risk of less than 10 percent.

For new 2006 model year vehicles, the highest rated SUV was the Chevrolet HHR, earning four stars and a 14 percent chance of rollover if involved in a single-vehicle crash. The 2006 Chrysler Pacifica and Ford Freestyle, both carryover vehicles previously tested in earlier model years, remain the agency?s highest rated SUVs overall with four stars and a 13 percent chance of rollover.

Of the 2006 model year tested vehicles, the lowest rated SUV was the Nissan Xterra 4x4, receiving three stars, representing a 25 percent chance of rollover.

For pickups, the highest rated vehicle was the Honda Ridgeline 4x4 and the Toyota Tacoma 4x2 each earning four stars or a 14 percent chance of rollover. The lowest rated pickups were the Toyota Tundra 4x2, the Nissan Titan 4x4, and the Nissan Frontier 4x2, each receiving three stars, a 21 percent chance of rollover.

For vans, the highest rated vehicle was the Kia Sedona, earning four stars and a 13 percent chance of rollover if involved in a single-vehicle crash. The lowest rated van was the Ford E350, receiving two stars, a 30 percent chance of rollover.

For passenger cars, the highest rated vehicle was the Pontiac G6, earning five stars and a 9 percent chance of rollover if involved in a single-vehicle crash. The lowest rated passenger car was the Scion xB, receiving four stars and an 18 percent chance of rollover.

The complete list of 2006 vehicles rollover results, including carryover results from previous model years, is also available at www.safercar.gov.