The Overall Vehicle Score is a crucial metric for assessing and comparing vehicle safety. Expressed as a star rating, this score provides a comprehensive evaluation of a vehicle’s safety performance in various crash scenarios. It is meticulously calculated using injury probabilities from frontal and side crash tests, alongside a projected injury probability derived from rollover resistance ratings.
The calculation process involves weighting these values to accurately reflect the real-world proportions of injuries associated with each crash type. This weighted result is then benchmarked against the average injury risk across the entire vehicle fleet. This comparison determines whether a specific vehicle presents a higher or lower average injury risk compared to the norm. The Overall Vehicle Scores are then assigned using a clear star-based system:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐= Significantly Lower than Average Overall Injury Risk
⭐⭐⭐⭐= Lower than to Average Overall Injury Risk
⭐⭐⭐= Average to Higher than Average Overall Injury Risk
⭐⭐= Higher than Average Overall Injury Risk
⭐= Significantly Higher than Average Overall Injury Risk
It is crucial to understand the limitations when using the Overall Vehicle Score for comparisons. Due to its partial reliance on frontal crash test ratings, comparisons are only valid between vehicles within the same class and with a weight difference of no more than 250 pounds. This restriction is essential for ensuring a meaningful and accurate safety comparison.
Consider these examples to clarify permissible and impermissible comparisons:
- Incorrect Comparison: Comparing a 4,500-pound SUV to a 3,000-pound sedan based on their frontal and/or Overall Vehicle Scores is invalid. This is due to both different vehicle classes and exceeding the 250-pound weight difference limit.
- Incorrect Comparison: Similarly, comparing a 3,600-pound pickup truck to a 3,400-pound van using frontal and/or Overall Vehicle Scores is also inappropriate. Although the weight difference is within the limit, they belong to different vehicle classes.
- Correct Comparison: Comparing the frontal and/or Overall Vehicle Scores of a 3,400-pound passenger car with another passenger car weighing 3,650 pounds is a valid comparison. Both vehicles are in the same class and the weight difference is within the acceptable 250-pound range.
Therefore, when you Compare Vehicles based on safety ratings, especially using the Overall Vehicle Score, always ensure you are comparing vehicles of the same class and similar weight to gain relevant and accurate insights into their relative safety performance.
