Newer scoring system may make vehicle safety comparisons simpler for consumers…
Cars are generally safety tested in a variety of separate categories and rated accordingly. Testing done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration typically includes separate trials for front and side-impact crashes as well as rollover resistance, rating each vehicle one to five stars for each category.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, on the other hand, has developed a process that combines testing in front and side-impact crashes and head restraint during a crash. It does not designate a rating for each individual test, but instead gives an overall rating for performance in all three. A lower score in one area will therefore lower the overall rating.
This scoring system makes it simpler for consumers to compare safety ratings, but it makes it more difficult for auto manufacturers who have to make sure that their vehicles perform well in all three categories in order to receive a good rating. Automakers were advised of the plan to institute this testing process, and were offered an opportunity to have their vehicles tested.
Tested vehicles are given a rating, the top two of which are gold and silver. A gold rating means a car, truck, van, or SUV performed well in all three categories. Silver means a vehicle received a “good” rating in front and side-impact crashes, but only received an okay rating in regard to head restraint.
Mini-vans scored low, especially in the head restraint category. Other vehicles were tested alongside similar classes and gold and silver ratings were awarded for large, mid-size, and small vehicles.
The Ford 500, the Subaru Legacy, and the Honda Civic, were awarded gold ratings for large, mid-size, and small cars respectively. While these cars are obviously engineered with safety in mind, consumers may still question how they compare to other vehicles that have yet to be tested under this system.