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New safety ratings for the NHTSA

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Khatir Soltani
Under the revamped and updated 5-star safety ratings program, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced the lineup of 2011 model year passenger vehicles that will receive new safety ratings.

For the first time, the new system provides consumers with a single overall safety score per vehicle. The list rates 24 passenger cars, 20 sport utility vehicles, two vans, and nine 2011 model year pickups.

Secretary Ray LaHood explains: "The vehicles we are announcing today will be the first ones tested under the Department’s tougher, more rigorous 5-star ratings program. This new testing program significantly raises the safety bar for all vehicle manufacturers and will provide consumers with a great deal more safety information about the cars and trucks they want to buy."

David Strickland, NHTSA Administrator, adds: "For over 30 years, NHTSA’s 5-star crash testing program has been the gold standard for consumers looking to buy the safest cars on the market for their families. Now, this great program has gotten even better by making it easier to compare the safety performance of vehicles not only in terms of crash survivability, but in terms of avoiding crashes in the first place."

Look for results of the 55 vehicles being tested under NHTSA’s new 5-star safety ratings system to be posted on the agency’s website, www.safercar.gov.

Below is the list of 2011 models selected for testing.

Passenger Cars
BMWBMW5 Series
ChryslerDodgeCaliber
Daimler AGMercedes-BenzC-Class
FordFordFiesta
FordFordFusion
FordFordTaurus
GMChevroletCruze
GMChevroletMalibu
GMBuickLucerne
HondaHondaAccord
HondaHondaCivic
HyundaiHyundaiSonata
KiaKiaForte
KiaKiaOptima
MazdaMazdaMazda3
NissanInfinitiM37
NissanNissanAltima
NissanNissanSentra
NissanNissanVersa
ToyotaToyotaCamry
ToyotaToyotaCorolla
ToyotaToyotaPrius
VolkswagenAudiA4
VolkswagenVolkswagenJetta

Vans
HondaHondaOdyssey
ToyotaTpyotaSienna

Sport Utility Vehicles
ChryslerJeepGrand Cherokee
FordFordEdge
FordFordEscape
GMChevroletTahoe
GMChevroletTraverse
GMChevroletEquinox
HondaAcuraMDX
HondaHondaCR-V
HondaHondaPilot
KiaKiaSprento
KiaKiaSoul
NissanNissanMurano
NissanNissanRogue
SubaruSubaruForester
SubaruSubaruOutback
ToyotaLexusRX350
ToyotaToyotaHighlander
ToyotaToyotaRAV4
ToyotaToyotaVenza
VolvoVolvoXC60

Pickup Trucks
ChryslerRam1500 Crew Cab
ChryslerRam1500 Quad Cab
FordFordF-150 Super Cab
FordFordF-150 Super Cab
FordFordRanger Extended Cab
GMChevroletSilverado 1500 Extended Cab
GMChevroletSilverado 1500 Crew Cab
ToyotaToyotaTacoma Double Cab
ToyotaToyotaTacoma Double Cab

Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada