Luxury sedan crash tests - High price doesn't always buy safety

When buying a luxury vehicle, you assume you're getting the best of everything for your money, but that's not necessarily the case with some luxury cars in the latest side-impact tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Institute also tested a large sedan, the lower-priced Kia Amanti, which was one of the top performers, providing better protection in this test than the BMW 5 Series at nearly twice its price. (Check out videos of these luxury cars as well as almost 200 other crash test videos.)

The top performers  in this latest group are the 2007 Acura RL, Kia Amanti, and redesigned Volvo S80--each earning the highest rating of Good, as well as receiving a Good rating in the front test. The S80 also earned the Institute's Top Safety Pick for its overall crash protection, recognizing its performance in the front, side, and rear tests and its having electronic stability control as standard equipment.

Acceptable scores go to the 2007 Cadillac STS and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The worst performer in this group, with a score of Marginal, is the 2008 BMW 5 Series; it is also the most expensive car of the group. The 5 Series was last redesigned for 2004, though it is updated for 2008 with modifications to the side tubular head protection airbags to improve occupant protection in side-impact crashes. Head injury measurements are Good for driver and passenger, but driver rib fractures and/or internal organ injuries are likely in a crash of this severity. A fracture of the pelvis would also be possible, according to the Institute.

All six vehicles are equipped with standard side airbags for both the front and rear passengers. All of the luxury models  have standard electronic stability control. ESC is optional on the Kia and it is much needed, based  on our handling tests. 

Side impacts are the second most deadly crash type after front collisions. In crashes with other passenger vehicles during 2004-05, 49 percent of driver deaths in 1-3-year-old cars and minivans occurred in side impacts, marking a significant increase over the past two decades. During the same period, driver deaths due to frontal collisions have decreased.

The IIHS evaluations are based on performance in a crash test in which the side of the vehicle is hit by a barrier moving at 31 mph. The barrier represents the front of an SUV or pickup truck.  The Ratings are determined by injury measurements taken from two dummies--one in the driver's seat and one in the rear behind the driver--as well as structural performance of the B-pillar and occupant compartment.

Full road tests the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Volvo S80 will be in the November issue of Consumer Reports and online October at ConsumerReports.org.

Learn more about how tests are performed in "Crash test 101"

—Liza Barth  and Jeff Bartlett