Understanding car safety is paramount for any vehicle buyer. Resources like Car And Driver Car Reviews often highlight safety features and crash test results, but deciphering the overall safety ratings can be crucial in making an informed decision. This guide explains how overall vehicle scores are calculated and what they truly represent.
The Overall Vehicle Score is designed to provide a single, easily understandable safety rating, often presented as a star rating from one to five stars. This score isn’t simply an average of individual crash test results; it’s a carefully calculated metric based on the probability of injury in various types of accidents. These include frontal impacts, side impacts, and rollovers.
The calculation process uses probabilities of injury derived from frontal and side crash tests, along with a projected injury probability based on rollover resistance assessments. These values are then weighted to reflect the real-world frequency and severity of injuries associated with each crash type. This weighted result is then compared against the average injury risk across all vehicles. The outcome determines whether a vehicle’s overall injury risk is higher or lower than this average, translating into the star rating.
Here’s a breakdown of what each star level signifies in terms of overall injury risk relative to the average vehicle:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ = Overall injury risk is much less than average.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ = Overall injury risk is less than average to average.
⭐⭐⭐ = Overall injury risk is average to greater than average.
⭐⭐ = Overall injury risk is greater than average.
⭐ = Overall injury risk is much greater than average.
It’s critical to understand the limitations when comparing Overall Vehicle Scores. A vehicle’s overall score is partly based on its frontal crash test rating. Therefore, comparisons are only meaningful between vehicles within the same class and with similar weights. Specifically, you should only compare vehicles whose weights are within plus or minus 250 pounds of each other.
Consider these examples to clarify appropriate and inappropriate comparisons:
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Incorrect Comparison: A 4,500-pound SUV should not be compared to a 3,000-pound sedan. This is invalid because they are in different vehicle classes and the weight difference exceeds the 250-pound limit.
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Incorrect Comparison: Similarly, a 3,600-pound pickup truck should not be compared to a 3,400-pound minivan. While the weight difference is within the limit, they belong to different vehicle classes.
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Correct Comparison: Comparing a 3,400-pound passenger car to a 3,650-pound passenger car is valid. They are in the same vehicle class (passenger cars) and their weights are within the acceptable 250-pound range.
When using resources like car and driver car reviews to research your next vehicle, always pay attention to the safety ratings. However, ensure you understand how these overall scores are derived and the proper way to compare them between vehicles, focusing on vehicles in the same class and similar weight range for the most relevant safety assessment.
