New NHTSA Test Results Released

With vehicle safety features improving on a yearly basis, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has updated its testing procedures, making it more difficult for vehicles to achieve five-star ratings. A batch of ten cars was subjected to the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) with reassuring results.

GM's full-size crossover SUVs Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia all received five-star ratings. Unlike the big-boys in GM's lineup, the Buick Lucerne only received a three-star rating under the new test procedures, after it got two stars on side impact and five stars on both rollover and frontal crash tests.

GM spokesman Alan Adler noted that the tests have increased in difficulty and the vehicle hasn't been updated. The Lucerne, which is in its last year of production, got four stars on side impact last year.

"You've got new numbers. Lucerne didn't change — just the ratings," Adler said.

The Honda Accord sedan also proved worthy of the five-star rating, unlike its rival, the Toyota Camry, which didn't fare so well. Both the gasoline and hybrid-powered Camrys only received three stars.

The Nissan Versa received two stars, after getting a low score on side-crash tests.

Only two vehicles of the first batch of 34 vehicles managed to achieve five-star ratings, the Hyundai Sonata (after being modified and retested) and the BMW 5 Series. The average score for all vehicles tested was four stars.

While not part of the 5-Star Ratings System, NHTSA identifies if rated vehicles are also equipped with advanced technology features like ESC, LDW and FCW to help consumers buy a safer car.

The NHTSA plans to test a total of 55 vehicles before the end of the year.