When you’re in the market for a new car, wading through reviews can feel overwhelming. Amidst discussions of horsepower and fuel efficiency, safety ratings are paramount. One key metric to consider is the Overall Vehicle Score, a star-based system designed to give you a quick assessment of a vehicle’s safety performance in crash tests. Understanding how this score is calculated and what it signifies is crucial for making informed decisions when reading New Car Reviews.
The Overall Vehicle Score is not just a single test result; it’s a comprehensive evaluation derived from several crash test probabilities. These include frontal and side impact ratings, along with projections based on rollover resistance assessments. These individual probabilities are weighted to reflect the real-world frequency and severity of each crash type. This weighted calculation produces an overall injury risk assessment for the vehicle. This risk is then compared to the average injury risk across all vehicles on the market. Based on this comparison, vehicles are assigned a star rating from one to five stars, indicating their safety performance relative to the average.
Here’s a breakdown of what each star rating signifies in new car reviews and safety assessments:
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: The highest rating, indicating that the overall injury risk in this vehicle is much less than average. These vehicles represent the top tier of safety performance.
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐: A very good rating, meaning the overall injury risk is less than average to average. These vehicles offer above-average safety protection.
- ⭐⭐⭐: An average rating, indicating that the overall injury risk is average to greater than average. These vehicles provide typical levels of safety.
- ⭐⭐: A lower rating, suggesting the overall injury risk is greater than average. These vehicles offer less safety compared to the average vehicle.
- ⭐: The lowest rating, signaling that the overall injury risk is much greater than average. These vehicles represent the lowest level of safety performance.
It’s vital to understand the limitations when using Overall Vehicle Scores in new car reviews. Because the Overall Vehicle Score incorporates the frontal crash test rating, comparisons are only valid between vehicles in the same class and with a weight difference of no more than 250 pounds. This is because safety performance can be influenced by vehicle size and weight.
Consider these examples to clarify appropriate and inappropriate comparisons when looking at new car reviews and safety scores:
- Incorrect Comparison: Comparing the scores of a 4,500-pound SUV to a 3,000-pound sedan is invalid. They are in different vehicle classes and exceed the weight difference limit.
- Incorrect Comparison: Comparing a 3,600-pound pickup truck to a 3,400-pound van is also incorrect, despite meeting the weight requirement. They belong to different vehicle classes.
- Correct Comparison: It is appropriate to compare the safety scores of a 3,400-pound passenger car with a 3,650-pound passenger car. They are in the same class and within the acceptable weight range.
When reading new car reviews, always pay attention to safety ratings and the Overall Vehicle Score. However, ensure you’re making comparisons within the appropriate vehicle class and weight categories to gain a meaningful understanding of a vehicle’s safety performance relative to its peers. This will help you prioritize safety and make a well-informed decision when choosing your next car.
