Crash tests of five luxury vehicles by an insurance industry-backed research lab indicate that purchasing a high-priced automobile doesn't necessarily translate into a safer car.
The Arlington, Va.-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said that in its recent crash tests the BMW 5 Series received only a marginal grade in side-impact collision. One car that did do well was the Volvo S80, which was judged the "Top Safety Pick for 2007″ in its class of automobile.
In addition to the BMW and Volvo, the IIHS tested three other luxury cars–the Acura RL, Mercedes E Class and Cadillac STS. The Institute also tested the KIA Amanti in the large family car class, which received good ratings in the front- and side-collision test, but the results were marginal for rear-crash protection.
While doing well in the front-end collision test, the BMW 5 Series received only a marginal rating for side-impact and acceptable rating for rear-crash protection.
Despite having side airbags, tests indicate that someone in a side-impact collision in the BMW would likely incur fractured ribs and internal organ injuries. A pelvic fracture was also seen as possible.
The IIHS said changes were made to the Mercedes E class and the Cadillac STS that resulted in some improvements. Both the Mercedes and Cadillac received acceptable ratings for side-impact tests and good rating for front-impact. However, the Cadillac was rated poor in rear-collision, while the Mercedes was rated good.
The IIHS, which is backed by the auto insurance industry, said federal statistics show that 9,200 people in passenger vehicles died in side-impact collisions in 2005.
In a statement, Adrian Lund, IIHS president, noted there have been "significant improvements in frontal crash protection–standard airbags, improved structural designs and increased use of safety belts, for example. At the same time, growing sales of SUVs and pickups have exacerbated height mismatches among passenger vehicles, thereby increasing the risks to occupants of many vehicles struck in the side."
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