VEHICLE RATINGS

VEHICLE RATINGS

The Importance of Crash Testing

Since 1979, NHTSA has been crash-testing vehicles through its New Car Assessment
Program. Crash-test results determine how well vehicles protect belted drivers and front-
seat passengers during a frontal collision.

During the crash test, dummies are placed in driver and front passenger seats.
Instruments measure the force of impact to each dummy's head, chest and legs. Tests use
all available restraints.


Federal safety standards require all passenger cars meet injury criteria measured in
a 30 mph frontal crash. NCAP tests are conducted at 35 mph to make the difference between
vehicles more apparent. Tests simulate damage equivalent to a head-on collision between
two identical vehicles, each moving at 35 mph. This is the same as a vehicle moving at 70
mph striking an identical parked vehicle.

Interpreting NCAP Crash-Testing Ratings

NHTSA recently revised NCAP crash-testing ratings to make them easier for consumers
to understand. A five-star rating indicates the best protection and one star the least.

Crash-test ratings are meaningful only when comparing vehicles in the same weight
class. Results do not reflect the extent to which an occupant in a light weight vehicle
could be injured in a collision with a heavier vehicle.