Understanding vehicle safety is paramount when comparing cars, and resources like Us News Car Compare can be invaluable. A key metric to consider is the Overall Vehicle Score. This score, often represented as a star rating, provides an assessment of a vehicle’s safety performance in crash tests. But how is this score calculated, and how should you use it when comparing vehicles?
The Overall Vehicle Score is determined by combining the probabilities of injury from frontal and side crash tests with a projected probability of injury in rollover accidents. These probabilities are weighted to reflect the real-world frequency of each type of crash. This weighted average is then compared to the average injury risk across all vehicles. Based on this comparison, vehicles are assigned star ratings, ranging from one to five stars. A five-star rating signifies that the vehicle’s overall injury risk is much lower than average, while a one-star rating indicates a much higher than average risk. The star ratings are categorized as follows:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐= Overall injury risk for this vehicle is much less than average
⭐⭐⭐⭐= Overall injury risk for this vehicle is less than average to average
⭐⭐⭐= Overall injury risk for this vehicle is average to greater than average
⭐⭐= Overall injury risk for this vehicle is greater than average
⭐= Overall injury risk for this vehicle is much greater than average
It’s crucial to understand the limitations when using the Overall Vehicle Score for car comparisons. Because the overall score incorporates the frontal crash test rating, comparisons are only meaningful between vehicles within the same class and with similar weights. Specifically, you should only compare vehicles whose weights are within 250 pounds of each other.
For example, it would be inappropriate to compare the safety scores of a 4,500-pound SUV to a 3,000-pound sedan. These vehicles are in different classes and exceed the weight difference threshold. Similarly, comparing a 3,600-pound pickup truck to a 3,400-pound van is also not recommended due to the class difference, even though they meet the weight criteria. However, it is valid to compare the safety scores of a 3,400-pound passenger car to another passenger car weighing 3,650 pounds, as they are in the same class and within the acceptable weight range.
When utilizing US News Car Compare or similar tools, always keep these comparison guidelines in mind to ensure you are making informed decisions based on relevant safety data. Focus on comparing vehicles within the same class and similar weight categories to effectively leverage safety ratings in your car buying process.
