Sonata and Bavarian Motor Works 5 series take top grades in crash tests

This year’s crash test ratings have just been released. The newest standards are officially implemented. The new scoring system is a 5 star rating. A five star rating was only awarded to two cars. The BMW 5 series and also the Hyundai Sonata were the only cars that got five stars within the assessments. This round of assessments was for 34 different models, and it integrated a new sliding side impact.

Collision test standards being renewed

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration came out and changed some things. The crash test rating system was one of these things. The scale used to go 1 to 4. Now it goes all the way up to five. Today was the end of the first round of screening. This is what USA Today reports. The first round of testing had numerous vehicles. About 34 cars were part of it. There can be a second round of screening soon. 22 much more automobiles could be in this. The new rating system changes other things. Criteria is going to be stricter as well. A new test is being added also. Side collision when skidding can be tested. The NHTSA decided crash avoidance systems needed to be tested too. One of these tested was the electronic stability control. Earlier standards should be compared to new standards. This is suggested by the NHTSA.

Top scores come from Bavarian Motor Works and Hyundai Motors

There were only two five-star crash tested vehicles. The Hyundai Sonata got a perfect five-star collision assessment. The only other auto to get that was the Bavarian Motor Works 5 series. Only three cars got less than a 4 also. The Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid were the only two cars to get a three-star rating. Last year the Camry did the best. It got the highest scores available. The Nissan Versa received the lowest score of two. Four out of five stars was given to the other cars.

Much more cars to assessment

This only the initial round of assessments. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration plans to do collision assessments for about 22 more automobiles. The entire list is accessible from the govt at Safercar.gov for those interested in checking out the ratings before they purchase.

Citations

USA Today

content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/10/hyundai-sonata-bmw-5-series-only-5-stars-cars-in-new-federal-crash-tests/1

Safer Car

safercar.gov/Vehicle Shoppers/5-Star Safety Ratings/2011 Vehicles