NHTSA unveils new 5-star safety rating, BMW 5-Series and Hyundai Sonata only ones to get 5 stars

NHTSA's New 5-star Safety Rating

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