NHTSA unveils new 5-star safety rating, BMW 5-Series and Hyundai Sonata only ones to get 5 stars
United States Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and NHTSA Administrator David Strickland announced today an enhanced 5-Star Safety Rating system. The “˜Stars on Cars” system has been around since the “70”s and done much to increase awareness and interest in safety features in vehicles. The old system however, was broken and in need of an upgrade, as too often was the case where an inferior vehicle received a top score.
The more comprehensive analysis will now include testing on female crash dummies, side pole crash testing, and consideration of crash prevention technologies. The previous criteria had been in place since the late 70″s, and had become irrelevant, as many vehicles were receiving higher ratings because automotive safety had improved drastically since the time the tests were instituted.
“More stars equal safer cars,” said Secretary LaHood. “With our upgraded Five-Star Safety Ratings System, we”re raising the bar on safety. Through new tests, better crash data, and higher standards, we are making the safety ratings tougher and more meaningful for consumers.”
In the latest round of testing only two cars received 5 stars; the 2011 BMW 5-Series RWD Sedan and the 2011 Hyundai Sonata. Most vehicles received 4 stars, except for the Toyota Camry and Nissan Versa. Both the hybrid and conventional versions of the Camry scored 3 stars while the Versa received 2.
The new system also adds upon the more comprehensive criteria by adding an “˜Overall Vehicle Score”, which combines the results of the frontal and side crash tests and rollover resistance tests while comparing those results with the average risk of injury and potential for vehicle rollover of other vehicles.
For an in-depth look at the new system check out http://www.safercar.gov.
Hit the jump for the new rating chart.
Make | Model | Overall Frontal Crash Rating | Overall Side Crash Rating | Rollover Rating | Overall Vehicle Score |
Audi | A4 Avant Wagon | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
Audi | A4 FWD | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
Audi | S4 FWD | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
BMW | 5 Series 4 DR RWD | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Cadillac | Escalade 4WD | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
Cadillac | Escalade Hybrid 4WD | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
Cadillac | Escalade RWD | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
Cadillac | Escalde Hybrid RWD | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
Chevrolet | Malibu FWD | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
Chevrolet | Tahoe 4WD | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
Chevrolet | Tahoe RWD | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
Ford | Fiesta | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
Ford | Taurus AWD | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
Ford | Taurus FWD | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
GMC | Yukon RWD | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
GMC | Yukon 4WD | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
Honda | Pilot 4WD | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
Honda | Pilot FWD | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
Hyundai | Sonata (early release) | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
Hyundai | Sonata (later release) | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Infiniti | M37 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
Infiniti | M56 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
Jeep | Grand Cherokee 4WD | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
Jeep | Grand Cherokee RWD | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
Kia | Sorento AWD | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Kia | Sorento FWD | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Nissan | Versa | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
Subaru | Legacy | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
Subaru | Outback | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Toyota | Camry | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
Toyota | Camry HV | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
Toyota | Sienna AWD | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
Toyota | Sienna FWD | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
– By: Stephen Calogera