When you’re in the market for a used car, safety is paramount. Resources like Car And Driver Used Car Reviews can be invaluable, often including important safety information. One key aspect to consider is the Overall Vehicle Score, a star rating system designed to quickly communicate a vehicle’s safety performance. But what does this score really mean, and how should you interpret it when reading car and driver used car reviews or similar safety assessments?
The Overall Vehicle Score is calculated using a complex formula that estimates the probability of injury in different types of crashes, including frontal and side impacts, as well as rollover accidents. These probabilities are weighted to reflect how frequently these types of crashes occur in the real world. This weighted calculation results in an overall injury risk assessment for a specific vehicle, which is then compared to the average injury risk across all vehicles. Based on this comparison, vehicles are assigned a star rating:
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: Significantly lower than average injury risk.
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐: Lower than average to average injury risk.
- ⭐⭐⭐: Average to higher than average injury risk.
- ⭐⭐: Higher than average injury risk.
- ⭐: Significantly higher than average injury risk.
It’s crucial to understand the limitations of comparing these scores. An Overall Vehicle Score is most meaningful when compared to vehicles within the same class and with a weight difference of no more than 250 pounds. This is because factors like vehicle size and weight significantly influence crash performance. Therefore, when you consult car and driver used car reviews and see safety ratings, keep these comparison rules in mind:
For example, you cannot directly compare the safety score of a 4,500-pound SUV to a 3,000-pound sedan. Their weight difference and vehicle classes are too significant. Similarly, comparing a 3,600-pound pickup truck to a 3,400-pound minivan isn’t valid due to the different vehicle classes, even though they are close in weight. However, it is appropriate to compare the scores of a 3,400-pound passenger car with a 3,650-pound passenger car, as they are in the same class and within the acceptable weight range.
When researching used cars using resources like car and driver used car reviews, always pay attention to the Overall Vehicle Score and understand how it’s calculated and how to properly compare it across vehicles to make informed safety decisions.
