When it comes to buying a car, safety is often a top priority for many consumers. Understanding vehicle safety ratings can help you make an informed decision on which car to purchase. Two important factors that determine vehicle safety ratings are crash tests and safety features.
Crash tests
Crash tests are conducted by various organizations, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). These tests evaluate how well a vehicle protects its occupants in the event of a crash. The tests measure factors such as:
- Crashworthiness: How well a vehicle protects its occupants in a crash
- Crash avoidance and mitigation: How well a vehicle can avoid a crash or reduce the severity of a crash
The NHTSA conducts several tests, including:
- Frontal crash test: Measures how well a vehicle protects its occupants in a head-on collision
- Side crash test: Measures how well a vehicle protects its occupants in a side-impact collision
- Rollover test: Measures a vehicle’s resistance to rolling over
The IIHS conducts several tests as well, including:
- Small overlap front test: Measures how well a vehicle protects its occupants in a front corner collision
- Modrate overlap front test: Measures how well a vehicle protects its occupants in a front collision
- Side crash test: Measures how well a vehicle protects its occupants in a side-impact collision
- Rear crash protection/head restraint test: Measures how well a vehicle protects its occupants from neck and head injuries in a rear-end collision
Safety features
Safety features are designed to help prevent or reduce the severity of a crash. Some important safety features to look for when purchasing a car include:
- Antilock brakes (ABS): Helps prevent the wheels from locking up during hard braking, allowing the driver to maintain control of the vehicle
- Electronic stability control (ESC): Helps prevent the vehicle from skidding or sliding out of control during emergency maneuvers
- Airbags: Helps protect the driver and passengers in the event of a crash
- Seat belts: Helps keep occupants in their seats during a crash, reducing the risk of injury or death
- Backup camera: Helps prevent accidents when backing up by providing a clear view of what’s behind the vehicle
Understanding safety ratings
Both crash tests and safety features are taken into account when determining a vehicle’s safety rating. The NHTSA and IIHS have their own rating systems, which can be helpful when comparing different vehicles. The NHTSA uses a star rating system, with up to five stars being the highest rating. The IIHS uses a rating system of Good, Acceptable, Marginal, or Poor.
When researching vehicle safety ratings, it’s important to consider the specific tests and features that were evaluated. A car that performs well in a frontal crash test may not perform as well in a side-impact test, for example. Additionally, some safety features may be optional or only available on certain trim levels, so it’s important to check the specifics for the make and model you’re interested in.
Vehicle safety ratings are an important factor to consider when purchasing a car. Understanding crash tests and safety features can help you make an informed decision on which car to buy. Remember to consider the specific tests and features that were evaluated, as well as any optional or trim-specific safety features.
