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The Most Important Things to Know About Crash Tests:
Not All Results Can Be Compared
Model-to-model comparisons of frontal crash-test ratings are valid only within a vehicle class or between models of comparable weight (within 250 pounds). The test reflects how the vehicle would fare in a collision with another of the same model, and not versus a larger or smaller vehicle (or a lower- or higher-riding vehicle). A heavier vehicle would protect its occupants better than a lighter one if all other factors were equal, but they never are. So a large vehicle with a Poor rating is not necessarily safer than a small vehicle with a Good rating. Unfortunately, researchers have not yet devised a reliable method for reporting the effect of size differences on a vehicle's score.
Note: Side-impact crash tests are comparable across classes because the sled that rams the test vehicles is of a consistent size and weight. See the section titled Side-Impact Ratings Have Deficiencies below. |
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