The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently introduced a new crash test design, the first new frontal impact methodology since 1995. This simulates an accident in which a vehicle runs into a pole or a three at 40 mph (64 km/h), with the object only striking a quarter of the vehicle’s frontal area. This is extremely relevant, as this kind of crashes can be found in real life and the structures can hit the car in a place that isn’t backed up by crumple zones.
The results? Shocking: most popular entry-level premium sedans do not offer proper protection for their driver in this kind of crash. Thus, the 2012 Acura TSX, 2012 BMW 3_series, 2012 Lincoln MKZ and 2012 VW CC received “marginal” ratings, while the 2012 Audi A4, 2012 Lexus ES, 2012 Lexus IS, as well as the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class got a “poor” rating.
There are also exceptions, cars that did well in the new test, such as the Volvo S60 (“good rating”), as well as the Acura TL and Infiniti G Sedan (“acceptable” rating).
"Most automakers design their vehicles to ace our moderate overlap frontal test and NHTSA's full-width frontal test, but the problem of small overlap crashes hasn't been addressed. We hope our new rating program will change that," IHS President Adrian Lund said.
There are also exceptions, cars that did well in the new test, such as the Volvo S60 (“good rating”), as well as the Acura TL and Infiniti G Sedan (“acceptable” rating).
"Most automakers design their vehicles to ace our moderate overlap frontal test and NHTSA's full-width frontal test, but the problem of small overlap crashes hasn't been addressed. We hope our new rating program will change that," IHS President Adrian Lund said.
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