Car Models With Good Crash Test Ratings
There are many vehicles that receive a good crash test safety rating when tested for safety and security. You may have found the car of your dreams, but if the security and safety features on it are not up to par, it may not be the best idea to buy it. Arm yourself with the knowledge of the safest autos to make sure yours is right for yourself and your family.
Midsize And Family Sedans
The family sedans are typically the safest vehicle, as companies are vying with each other to get the best crash test rating among the competition. Not only are most equipped with front and side airbags, many sedans now come with whiplash protection in the event of being rear ended.
The Dodge Avenger and the Chrysler Sebring are two of the newest cars that pass the crash test ratings with flying colors. Both vehicles have front and rear head-curtain air bags, as well as front torso air bags. The Infiniti G35 also receives a great crash test safety rating, with front and rear head-curtain air bags, with the addition of front torso air bags. The Saturn Aura also has the same types of airbags installed within the vehicle for maximum safety and protection.
Two more midsize car models that have great crash test safety ratings are the Nissan Altima and the Chevrolet Malibu. Both cars have front and rear head-curtain bags and front torso air bags installed in each vehicle. The Mitsubishi Galant and the Kia Optima are two more family sedans that perform great during crash tests.
Smaller Cars And Pickup Trucks
A car does not have to be big to have great crash test safety ratings. There are some cars that have this honor within their class of cars. One of these is the Volkswagen Golf TDI, which came in at number one in auto crash test ratings. Next comes the Honda Civic EX and the Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI. All have great front and side airbags that can help reduce the risk of serious injury or death in the event of an accident.
Pickup trucks can also have great crash test ratings and be a safe vehicle to own. The number one safest truck in the full-sized category is the Toyota Tundra SR5 4.7. Following behind that is the Dodge Ram SLT 4.7. There are safe compact crew-cab sized trucks, as well. The Toyota Tacoma TRD and the Nissan Frontier are the two safest smaller trucks to own.
Sports Utility Vehicles And Minivans
These types of autos are usually safe because they are built for families, so companies do their best to make them pass safety test ratings on top. Which one is the safest however? If you are choosing a smaller-sized SUV, you may want to choose the Saturn VUE or the Honda CR-V EX. Need a bigger SUV? The Lexus RX300 and the Acura MDX are two that perform great in crash test ratings.
Sports Utility Vehicles may have a higher roll-over rate, so be sure to check with the dealer of your car to find out how safe yours is. Some vehicles are now being equipped with rollover airbags, which will be discussed next.
What Makes A Car Safe?
When you decide to start looking for a vehicle, there are some features that make the car safer. Airbags are one of the most important safety features you can have in your car. Not only should they be installed in the front, in the driver steering column, and on the passengers side, they may also be installed on the sides of the vehicle. This way, not only is the driver protected, but the passengers in the back, as well.
Safety glass is another important feature to have when you are looking for a vehicle. Safety glass breaks into thousands of tiny pieces when struck; this way, there are no sharp edges to cause serious damage to a person. Windshields and other car windows of old would break into huge, jagged shards, causing serious injury or death to the occupants of the car.
Rollover airbags are one of the most recent and newest technologies that are being added to cars. In the event of a collision or wreck where the vehicle rolls over, most people are killed or injured from striking the windows. A head air bag, or curtain, comes down if a rollover is detected, as well as the safety seat belt retractors. These keep the occupant of the crash firmly in their seat, while protecting their head in the crash.
For more information on the safest vehicles today, as well as information on other vehicle-related subjects, visit NHTSA. NHTSA stands for the National Highway Traffic Safety Association. You will find ratings on any vehicle of your choosing, the latest studies, and much more. You can also check the Insurance Institute for highway Safety, the IIHS.
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