When evaluating vehicle safety, the Overall Vehicle Score is a key metric, often represented by a star rating. This score is designed to give consumers a quick understanding of a vehicle’s safety performance in crashes. But how is this score calculated, and more importantly, how should you use it when you compare vehicles?
The Overall Vehicle Score is determined by assessing the probabilities of injury in different types of crashes, including frontal and side impacts, as well as rollover accidents. These probabilities are weighted to reflect the real-world frequency of each crash type. This weighted calculation results in an overall injury risk assessment for a vehicle, which is then compared to the average risk across all vehicles. Based on this comparison, vehicles are assigned star ratings:
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: Significantly lower than average injury risk
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐: Lower than average to average injury risk
- ⭐⭐⭐: Average to higher than average injury risk
- ⭐⭐: Higher than average injury risk
- ⭐: Significantly higher than average injury risk
However, it’s crucial to understand the limitations when you Vehicle Compare using Overall Vehicle Scores. A direct comparison is only valid between vehicles that are in the same vehicle class and have a weight difference of no more than 250 pounds. This weight and class restriction is because the physics of crashes vary significantly depending on these factors.
For example, you cannot accurately vehicle compare the safety score of a 4,500-pound SUV with a 3,000-pound sedan. These vehicles are not only in different classes but also exceed the permissible weight difference for a meaningful comparison. Similarly, comparing a 3,600-pound pickup truck to a 3,400-pound minivan is also inappropriate due to the class difference, despite meeting the weight criteria.
On the other hand, it is valid to vehicle compare the Overall Vehicle Scores of a 3,400-pound passenger car with another passenger car weighing 3,650 pounds. They belong to the same class and the weight difference is within the 250-pound limit.
In conclusion, while the Overall Vehicle Score provides a helpful overview of vehicle safety, remember that accurate vehicle compare using these scores requires comparing vehicles of similar class and weight. Understanding these limitations ensures you are making informed decisions when considering vehicle safety.
