Claims News Service, March 7, 8:58 a.m. EST — According to recent front, side, and rear impact tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the BMW 3 series and Lexus IS are the safest midsize cars on the road.
Seven new or redesigned midsized vehicles were tested in the study: three moderately priced cars — Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, and Pontiac G6 — and four luxury/near luxury cars — Acura TSX, BMW 3 series, Infiniti G35, and Lexus IS. The BMW 3 series and Lexus IS earned the “Top Safety Pick” for their good performance in front and side crash tests, plus acceptable ratings for their seat/head restraint designs in rear tests. The Ford Fusion, tested without its optional side airbags, earned the lowest ratings altogether.
The frontal evaluations were based on results from the colliding vehicle traveling at 40 mph. The overall side evaluations were gauged on each car's performance when their sides were struck by a barrier, representing the front end of a pickup or SUV, moving at 31 mph. The rear test simulated a collision in which a stationary vehicle was struck from behind at 20 mph.
The full report is available at www.iihs.org.
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