When you’re looking to Compare New Car options, safety is often a top priority. A key metric to consider is the Overall Vehicle Score, often represented as a star rating. This score provides an assessment of a vehicle’s safety performance in crash tests, giving you a quick way to gauge and compare new car safety.
The Overall Vehicle Score is calculated based on the probabilities of injury in different types of crashes. These probabilities are derived from frontal and side crash test ratings, as well as rollover resistance assessments. To create a comprehensive score, these values are weighted to reflect the real-world frequency and severity of each crash type. This weighted calculation results in an overall injury risk assessment for each vehicle.
This overall risk is then compared to the average injury risk across all vehicles in the current fleet. By making this comparison, the scoring system determines whether a specific vehicle presents a higher or lower risk of injury compared to the average vehicle on the road. The star ratings are assigned to clearly communicate this risk level:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ = Overall injury risk is much less than average. When you compare new car models, a 5-star rating indicates top-tier safety performance.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ = Overall injury risk is less than average to average. This rating suggests a new car is safer than or as safe as the average vehicle.
⭐⭐⭐ = Overall injury risk is average to greater than average. A 3-star rating means the new car presents an average to slightly higher than average injury risk.
⭐⭐ = Overall injury risk is greater than average. This rating indicates a new car has a higher than average injury risk.
⭐ = Overall injury risk is much greater than average. A 1-star rating signifies a significantly higher injury risk compared to the average vehicle.
It’s crucial to understand the limitations when you compare new car Overall Vehicle Scores. Because the score is partially based on frontal crash test ratings, comparisons are only valid between vehicles in the same class and with similar weights. Specifically, you can only compare vehicles whose weights are within plus or minus 250 pounds of each other. This weight and class restriction is essential for accurate and meaningful new car comparisons.
Consider these examples when you compare new car safety ratings:
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It is incorrect to compare a 4,500-pound SUV with a 3,000-pound sedan. These vehicles are in different classes and exceed the 250-pound weight difference limit. Their Overall Vehicle Scores are not directly comparable.
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Comparing a 3,600-pound pickup truck to a 3,400-pound minivan is also invalid. Although the weight difference is within the limit, they belong to different vehicle classes (pickup vs. van), making a direct safety score comparison misleading when you compare new car options.
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It is appropriate to compare a 3,400-pound passenger car with a 3,650-pound passenger car. They are in the same class (passenger car) and the weight difference (250 pounds) is within the permissible range. Therefore, their Overall Vehicle Scores can be meaningfully compared when you are looking to compare new car safety.
When you compare new car models, always pay attention to the Overall Vehicle Score as a helpful indicator of safety. However, remember to compare vehicles within the same class and similar weight range for the most accurate assessment. This ensures you are making informed decisions about safety when choosing your next new car.
