ARLINGTON, Va. (CNN) - Nine new or redesigned 2002-model midsize cars earned a top rating of "good" in a frontal crash test by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety that evaluated the crashworthiness of passenger vehicles.

Among the nine were two inexpensive models, the Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima; two moderately priced cars, the Acura TL and Hyundai XG300/XG350; and five luxury models, Lexus ES 300 and Lexus IS 300, Saab 9-5, Volvo S60 and Jaguar X-Type.

The two Lexus models, the Acura RL, Toyota Camry and Saab 9-5 earned the "best pick" designation for their high across-the-board test scores.

"This is what we want to see: more and more manufacturers redesigning their vehicles to do well in our crash tests," institute spokesman Steve Oesch said.

Each car -- which crashed into a deformable barrier at about 40 mph -- was rated on how well its structure protects occupants, the risk of injury for an average-size male and how well the restraint system controls the movements of the car's occupants. Researchers also tested the bumper's performance.

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In the tests, 40 percent of the frontal width of each vehicle crashed into the barrier on the driver's side.

The barrier is made of aluminum honeycomb, which makes the forces in the test similar to those involved in a crash between two vehicles of the same weight, each going the same speed.

The institute has now tested 29 of the current midsize car designs in the three price ranges, Oesch said.

"The good news for consumers is that 17 of the 29 are rated as good," Oesch said.

Under the institute vehicle categories, the inexpensive, midsize four-door models have base prices under $21,000, the moderately priced cars range in price from $21,000 to less than $30,000, and the luxury cars have baseline prices of more than $30,000.