When you’re in the market for a new car, comparing different models is a natural part of the process. Resources like Car and Driver offer valuable insights, and considering safety is paramount. A key metric in vehicle safety is the Overall Vehicle Score, often represented as a star rating. This score is designed to give you a quick understanding of a vehicle’s safety performance in crash tests.
The Overall Vehicle Score is calculated based on the probabilities of injury in frontal and side crash tests, along with rollover resistance ratings. These probabilities are weighted to reflect real-world crash statistics, providing a comprehensive safety assessment. The result is then compared to the average injury risk across all vehicles, determining if a specific vehicle poses a higher or lower risk than average.
Here’s a breakdown of what the star ratings signify:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: Significantly lower than average injury risk.
⭐⭐⭐⭐: Lower than average to average injury risk.
⭐⭐⭐: Average to greater than average injury risk.
⭐⭐: Greater than average injury risk.
⭐: Significantly greater than average injury risk.
It’s crucial to understand the limitations of comparing these Overall Vehicle Scores. Direct comparisons are only valid between vehicles within the same class and with a weight difference of no more than 250 pounds. For instance, you cannot accurately compare the safety rating of a 4,500-pound SUV to a 3,000-pound sedan. Their vehicle classes are different, and the weight difference is too significant. Similarly, comparing a 3,600-pound pickup truck to a 3,400-pound van is inappropriate due to different vehicle classes, despite the weight being within range.
However, it is appropriate to compare the Overall Vehicle Scores of a 3,400-pound passenger car with another passenger car weighing 3,650 pounds, as they are in the same class and within the permissible weight range. Always ensure you are comparing vehicles within comparable categories to make informed decisions about vehicle safety when using resources like Car and Driver for your car comparison research.
