Latest Crash Tests: New Toyota Camry, RAV4 and More
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety just released their most recent crash test study. It included the Dodge Caliber, Toyota Camry, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Optima, Kia Sportage and Lincoln Zephyr.
The IIHS uses a ratings system of Poor, Marginal, Acceptable and Good as their range from negative to positive results. Only two of the vehicles tested received a Poor rating in any of the three crash tests; front impact, side impact and rear impact. The Kia Sportage/Hyundai Tucson compact SUVs’ rear impact tests resulted in a Poor rating and Acceptable in front and side impacts.
Toyota saw Good ratings for front and side impacts in both its newly redesigned Camry sedan and all-new RAV4 compact SUV. Both received Marginal scores on rear tests. The Kia Optima wasn’t tested for side impact but received a Good score for front crash safety; it was the only vehicle tested that received a score of Good on the rear impact test.
The results weren’t as rosy for the Dodge Caliber and Lincoln Zephyr. The Caliber, a hatchback that replaces the Dodge Neon, received a Good rating in front crash testing but Marginal results in side and rear tests. The Lincoln Zephyr didn’t see one test score in the Good range, racking up Acceptables in front and side tests and a Marginal in rear testing.
While Acceptable is just that, it will be hard to sell any poor rating to shoppers interested in safety. Ford says it is addressing the Zephyr’s average ratings for the next model year.
