texan629
04-09-05, 12:26 PM
Safest Cars of 2005
Vehicles that can save.
By Eric PetersEveryone knows which cars are fast -- Corvettes, Mustangs, Mitsubishi Evos -- but which cars are the safest cars on the road? According to government (www.nhtsa.dot.gov) and insurance industry (www.iihs.org) crash test data, the following cars are among the safest on the road in terms of their ability protect their occupants from being killed or injured in a crash:
Large Sedans:
Mercedes-Benz E Class (base price $50,500): Vault-like heavy steel construction and the presence of state-of-the-art passenger protection systems -- including head and torso-protecting side impact air bags -- make the E-Class extremely safe at any speed. These features also helped earn the E-Class an IIHS "Best Pick" rating among cars in its price/size range.
Volvo S80 (base price $36,365): Sweden's biggest automaker continues to build some of the most crashworthy vehicles you can buy -- at any price. The S80 received the highest possible scores in both government and IIHS crash testing -- and offers buyers the flexibility of available all-wheel-drive and fuel-efficient but powerful turbocharged inline five and six-cylinder engines.
Mid-Sized Sedans:
*Honda Accord (base price $16,295): One of the safest -- and most affordable -- ways to carry your family, the Accord received a perfect 5 Star rating for both front and rear seat occupant protection in both frontal and side-impact crashes. New for '05 is a hybrid gas-electric powertrain option that pushes the fuel efficiency envelope to an economy car-like 40 mpg, but without compromising the inherently better occupant protection of a larger, mid-sized car.
Mitsubishi Galant (base price $18,999): Comparable in size, roominess and power to the segment powerhouses -- Honda's Accord and the Toyota Camry -- the Galant also offers comparable levels of crash protection -- earning a 5 Star rating in most crash tests and an overall IIHS Rating of "Good" ( the highest possible) in a more aggressively styled, different drummer shape.
Small Cars:
Chevy Cobalt (base price $13,625 ): The successor to the Cavalier as Chevy's entry-level compact can be equipped with side-curtain air bags -- and prelimary data indicates this will score vastly better than its predecessor in government and IIHS crash testing. It can be equipped with a 205-hp supercharged engine in the sport-themed Cobalt SS
Toyota Corolla (base price $13,780): One of the most popular small cars ever built, the Corolla is also built to take a hit -- with the latest "multi-stage" air bags that adjust the force of their deployment based on the severity of the crash. Corollas can also be equipped with electronic stability control -- a very unusual feature in this price range. The Corolla earned the best-possible 5 Star rating in government crash testing.
SUVs:
Acura MDX (base price $36,900 ): This seven passenger luxury SUV provides all-weather capability -- and the peace of mind of a 5 Star rating for superior protection in both frontal and side impact crashes. The MDX also comes standard with a punchy 265-hp 3.5 liter V-6 engine and Variable Torque Management all-wheel-drive.
Lexus GX470 (base price $46,225): Though based on a truck, the Lexus GX470 is as safe (or safer) than many cars -- earning the highest possible rating in IIHS frontal offset crash testing. Side curtain air bags for front and rear passengers are standard equipment -- as is stability control, a tire pressure monitoring system and anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Assist to help slow the vehicle safely in panic stops.
Volvo XC90 (base price $35,920 ): The "Volvo of SUVs" lives up to the company's reputation for putting safety first -- with a standard gyroscopically controlled Roll Stability Control (RSC) system that uses the ABS/traction control system to prevent rollover s -- and deploys a three-row head/neck "curtain" air bag if such an cannot be avoided. An IIHS "Best Pick," the XC90 also offers a wide range of powertrains -- from an economical five-cylinder to a growly 315-hp V-8.
Minivans:
Honda Odyssey (base price $25,195): Considered by many to be the finest minivan on the market, the Odyssey offers all the latest passive and active crash-avoidance and occupant protection equipment -- including Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), three-row side curtain air bags with rollover sensors and run-flat tires. The DVD entertainment system features a 9-inch monitor with wireless headsets and Surround Sound audio.
Vehicles that can save.
By Eric PetersEveryone knows which cars are fast -- Corvettes, Mustangs, Mitsubishi Evos -- but which cars are the safest cars on the road? According to government (www.nhtsa.dot.gov) and insurance industry (www.iihs.org) crash test data, the following cars are among the safest on the road in terms of their ability protect their occupants from being killed or injured in a crash:
Large Sedans:
Mercedes-Benz E Class (base price $50,500): Vault-like heavy steel construction and the presence of state-of-the-art passenger protection systems -- including head and torso-protecting side impact air bags -- make the E-Class extremely safe at any speed. These features also helped earn the E-Class an IIHS "Best Pick" rating among cars in its price/size range.
Volvo S80 (base price $36,365): Sweden's biggest automaker continues to build some of the most crashworthy vehicles you can buy -- at any price. The S80 received the highest possible scores in both government and IIHS crash testing -- and offers buyers the flexibility of available all-wheel-drive and fuel-efficient but powerful turbocharged inline five and six-cylinder engines.
Mid-Sized Sedans:
*Honda Accord (base price $16,295): One of the safest -- and most affordable -- ways to carry your family, the Accord received a perfect 5 Star rating for both front and rear seat occupant protection in both frontal and side-impact crashes. New for '05 is a hybrid gas-electric powertrain option that pushes the fuel efficiency envelope to an economy car-like 40 mpg, but without compromising the inherently better occupant protection of a larger, mid-sized car.
Mitsubishi Galant (base price $18,999): Comparable in size, roominess and power to the segment powerhouses -- Honda's Accord and the Toyota Camry -- the Galant also offers comparable levels of crash protection -- earning a 5 Star rating in most crash tests and an overall IIHS Rating of "Good" ( the highest possible) in a more aggressively styled, different drummer shape.
Small Cars:
Chevy Cobalt (base price $13,625 ): The successor to the Cavalier as Chevy's entry-level compact can be equipped with side-curtain air bags -- and prelimary data indicates this will score vastly better than its predecessor in government and IIHS crash testing. It can be equipped with a 205-hp supercharged engine in the sport-themed Cobalt SS
Toyota Corolla (base price $13,780): One of the most popular small cars ever built, the Corolla is also built to take a hit -- with the latest "multi-stage" air bags that adjust the force of their deployment based on the severity of the crash. Corollas can also be equipped with electronic stability control -- a very unusual feature in this price range. The Corolla earned the best-possible 5 Star rating in government crash testing.
SUVs:
Acura MDX (base price $36,900 ): This seven passenger luxury SUV provides all-weather capability -- and the peace of mind of a 5 Star rating for superior protection in both frontal and side impact crashes. The MDX also comes standard with a punchy 265-hp 3.5 liter V-6 engine and Variable Torque Management all-wheel-drive.
Lexus GX470 (base price $46,225): Though based on a truck, the Lexus GX470 is as safe (or safer) than many cars -- earning the highest possible rating in IIHS frontal offset crash testing. Side curtain air bags for front and rear passengers are standard equipment -- as is stability control, a tire pressure monitoring system and anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Assist to help slow the vehicle safely in panic stops.
Volvo XC90 (base price $35,920 ): The "Volvo of SUVs" lives up to the company's reputation for putting safety first -- with a standard gyroscopically controlled Roll Stability Control (RSC) system that uses the ABS/traction control system to prevent rollover s -- and deploys a three-row head/neck "curtain" air bag if such an cannot be avoided. An IIHS "Best Pick," the XC90 also offers a wide range of powertrains -- from an economical five-cylinder to a growly 315-hp V-8.
Minivans:
Honda Odyssey (base price $25,195): Considered by many to be the finest minivan on the market, the Odyssey offers all the latest passive and active crash-avoidance and occupant protection equipment -- including Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), three-row side curtain air bags with rollover sensors and run-flat tires. The DVD entertainment system features a 9-inch monitor with wireless headsets and Surround Sound audio.