Vehicles represent 85 percent of all MY 2013 vehicles sold in the U.S., to be tested as part of tougher safety ratings program
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today announced the lineup of model year 2013 passenger vehicles that will be tested as part of the agency’s 5-star safety ratings program. The ratings provide car buyers with comprehensive safety information when shopping for a new or used vehicle.
“Safety is a major factor for consumers shopping for a new or used vehicle,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “For American car buyers, our 5-star safety ratings program serves as one of the most trusted and reliable resources to help them select the safest vehicles in the marketplace.”
Every year, NHTSA tests vehicles with the highest sales volumes and compares them, using star ratings, to highlight which vehicles go above and beyond what is federally required. Under the updated ratings program – More Stars. Safer Cars. – one star represents the lowest score and five stars represents the highest. Starting with model year 2011, the agency updated its program, adding an overall rating, a new pole test for side crashes and improved crash test dummies including small-statured female crash test dummies.
The program encourages automakers to improve crash protection and develop even safer vehicles in order to achieve a coveted government 5-star safety rating. It also highlights advanced safety features, including forward collision warning and lane departure warning systems, which manufacturers are voluntarily installing in vehicles to help prevent crashes. The program recently received international acclaim, with NHTSA earning a Global NCAP Safety Award in May 2012 for establishing the world’s first consumer-driven auto safety ratings program in 1978.
“For more than 30 years, NHTSA’s 5-star safety ratings program has not only served as a guide for safety-conscious consumers, it has encouraged auto makers to strive for ever-greater safety improvements with each succeeding model year,” said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. “The selection of model year 2013 vehicles announced today represents a major milestone for the revamped program, ensuring that our test again covers approximately 85 percent of the new model year vehicles available for sale in the U.S.”
NHTSA will rate 54 vehicles for the 2013 model year, including 33 passenger cars, 16 sport utility vehicles, one van, and four pickups. The program’s crash tests will provide consumer safety information on approximately 85 percent of model year 2013 vehicles sold in the United States, while rollover tests will provide information on 92 percent of the 2013 fleet.
As the vehicles are tested, the results will be posted online. In addition, a number of model year 2013 vehicles had carry-over designs from the previous model year or have already been tested, and these ratings are currently posted online at the agency’s dedicated auto safety web site, www.safercar.gov.
The list of vehicles selected for crash and rollover testing in model year 2013 is as follows.
Model Year 2013 Vehicles Selected for the 5-Star Safety Rating Tests
Passenger Cars
Make
Model
Body Style
Acura
ILX
4DR
Audi
A4
4DR
Buick
Verano
4DR
Cadillac
ATS
4DR
Cadillac
XTS
4DR
Chevrolet
Malibu
4DR
Dodge
Challenger
2DR
Dodge
Dart
4DR
Fiat
500
3HB
Ford
CMAX Energi
5HB
Ford
CMAX HEV
5HB
Ford
Focus
4DR
Ford
Focus BEV
5HB
Ford
Fusion
4DR
Ford
Fusion Energi
4DR
Ford
Taurus
4DR
Honda
Accord
2DR
Honda
Accord
4DR
Honda
Civic
2DR
Honda
Civic
4DR
Infiniti
M37
4DR
Lexus
ES350
4DR
Lexus
IS250
4DR
Mercedes-Benz
C-Class
4DR
Nissan
Altima
4DR
Nissan
Leaf
5HB
Nissan
Sentra
4DR
Subaru
Impreza
SW
Subaru
Legacy
4DR
Toyota
Avalon
4DR
Toyota
Prius C
5HB
Toyota
Prius v
SW
Volkswagen
Beetle
2DR
Pickup Trucks
Make
Model
Body Style
Chevrolet
Silverado 2500
PU/EC
Ram
1500
PU/CC
Ram
1500 Quad Cab
PU/EC
Toyota
Tacoma
PU/EC
Sport Utility Vehicles & Vans
Make
Model
Body Style
BMW
X5
SUV
Chevrolet
Traverse
SUV
Ford
Escape
SUV
Ford
Explorer
SUV
Hyundai
Santa Fe Sport
SUV
Jeep
Compass
SUV
Jeep
Patriot
SUV
Lexus
RX350
SUV
Mazda
CX-5
SUV
Mazda
CX-9
SUV
Mercedes-Benz
ML-Class
SUV
Nissan
Pathfinder
SUV
Subaru
Outback
SUV
Toyota
RAV4
SUV
Toyota
Sienna
VAN
Toyota
Venza
SUV
Volkswagen
Tiguan
SUV
The list of model year 2013 vehicles selected for LDW, FCW and/or ESC confirmation testing is as follows.
Model Year 2013 Vehicles Equipped with LDW, FCW and/or ESC
Selected for Confirmation Testing
Passenger Cars
Make
Model
Body
LDW
FCW
ESC
Audi
A4
4DR
X
Audi
A6
4DR
X
BMW
3-Series Sedan
4DR
X
X
Cadillac
XTS (Magna system)
4DR
X
X
Chevrolet
Volt
4DR
X
X
Chevrolet
Malibu
4DR
X
X
Chrysler
300
4DR
X
Dodge
Dart
4DR
X
Ford
Fusion
4DR
X
X
X
Ford
Taurus
4DR
X
Honda
Accord Sedan
4DR
X
X
Honda
Fit
5HB
X
Hyundai
Genesis (BH)
4DR
X
X
Nissan
Sentra
4DR
X
Subaru
Outback
SW
X
X
Subaru
XV Crosstrek
SW
X
Suzuki
SX4
4DR
X
Toyota
Avalon
4DR
X
X
Toyota
Prius
4DR
X
X
Sport Utility Vehicles & Vans
Make
Model
Body
LDW
FCW
ESC
Acura
RDX
SUV
X
Buick
Encore
SUV
X
X
Ford
Escape
SUV
X
Ford
Explorer
SUV
X
X
Infiniti
JX
SUV
X
X
Mazda
CX-5
SUV
X
Nissan
Xterra
SUV
X
Toyota
RAV4
SUV
X
X
Volkswagen
Routan
VAN
X
KEY
PU – Pickup
EC – Extended Cab
CC – Crew Cab
DR – Door
HB – Hatchback
SUV – Sport Utility Vehicle
SW – Station Wagon
