All except 1 of the midsize cars the Institute tested have side airbags as standard or optional equipment. There are 4 basic types of side airbags: side curtains intended to protect occupants' heads, side airbags intended to protect the torso only, combination torso/head designs, and tubular designs.
Toyota Camry
optional torso airbag + side curtain
Honda Accord
optional torso airbag + side curtain
Chevrolet Malibu
optional side curtain
Mitsubishi Galant
optional torso airbag
Hyundai Sonata/Kia Optima
standard combination torso/head airbag
Saturn L Series
standard side curtain
Nissan Altima
optional torso airbag + side curtain
Dodge Stratus/Chrysler Sebring
optional side curtain
Mazda 6
optional torso airbag + side curtain
Suzuki Verona
side airbags aren't available
