NHTSA To Update Test Process for Five-Star Safety Ratings

Just the Facts:
NHTSA will test 55 vehicles using new crash methods.
The new tests will result in a single, easy to compare score.
NHTSA says it will be harder for vehicles to achieve the coveted five-star rating under the new test criteria.

WASHINGTON — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will test 55 vehicles from the 2011 model year, putting them through a new "tougher" crash test and giving them a single overall safety grade at the end. It's part of NHTSA's newly updated five-star safety rating program.

The agency says the changes to the program will make it easier for consumers to compare the safety performance of different vehicles. The safety ratings will also include information about lane departure, forward collision warning and other modern electronic safety features on vehicles. NHTSA says it will be harder for vehicles to achieve the coveted five-star rating under the new test criteria.

The list of vehicles to be tested includes 24 passenger cars, 20 SUVs, two vans and nine pickups, all from the 2011 model year. The list includes the Audi A4 ; BMW 5 Series; Buick Lucerne; Chevrolet Cruze and Malibu; Dodge Caliber; Ford Fiesta, Fusion and Taurus; Honda Accord and Civic; Hyundai Sonata; Infiniti M37; Kia Forte and Optima; Mazda 6; Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Nissan Altima, Sentra and Versa; Toyota Camry, Corolla and Prius; and Volkswagen Jetta.

The SUVs to be tested are the Acura MDX; Chevrolet Tahoe, Traverse and Equinox; Ford Edge and Escape; Honda CR-V and Pilot; Jeep Grand Cherokee; Kia Sorento and Soul; Lexus RX 350; Nissan Murano and Rogue; Subaru Forester and Outback; Toyota Highlander, RAV4 and Venza; and the Volvo XC60.

The vans are the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. The pickup trucks to undergo the new NHTSA testing are Chrysler's Ram 1500 Crew and Quad Cab models, the Ford F-150 Super Cab and Super Crew Cab and the Ranger Extended Cab, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Extended and Crew Cab and Toyota's Tacoma and Tundra Double Cab models.

NHTSA did not give details of the new crash test protocol. The agency also said it will not be possible to compare the new safety ratings to NHTSA's previous ones since the criteria are different. The new ratings will be made available at NHTSA's Web site once they are completed.

Source;
http://www.insideline.com/car-news/nhtsa-to-update-test-process-for-five-star-safety-ratings.html