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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recently tested pickup trucks and several other models under the new 5-Star Safety Ratings system to assess crash worthiness. The results are mixed, proving the more stringent methods have ended the days of easy 5-Star ratings.
The latest and third round of tests include 2011 versions of the Chevrolet Silverado, Dodge Ram, GMC Sierra, and Toyota Tacoma. The Silverado and similar Sierra Crew Cab models score the best out of the group with an overall vehicle score of five stars and with front and side crash tests earning four stars and five stars for the rollover rating. The Toyota Tacoma also received four stars overall, but a three for the front crash rating. The Doge Ram scored three stars overall rating only a two for frontal crash performance.
Other models in this batch include the GMC Yukon Hybrid, Honda CR-Z, Kia Soul, Mazda3, and the latest Hyundai Sonata, which had mid-year updates. Not all tests were complete as noted in the chart below, but so far the highest-scoring vehicle overall in these new tests is the Honda Accord--the only vehicle to earn five stars in all crash categories.
Previously, nearly all models received five stars in the tested categories and didn't have an overall rating, making it difficult for consumers to determine the better performers. Under the new, more rigorous ratings system, not all vehicles will earn the highest score even if they had been at that level before. It is important to note that, despite the temptation to do so, 2011 results cannot be compared against those from 2010 model years and prior due to the changes in methodology and calculation. For this first year of the new ratings, NHTSA will rate 24 passenger cars, 20 SUVs, two vans, and nine pickups. Below is a list of the latest group tested (see the list of the first and second groups in our previous blogs).
| Make and model | Overall frontal crash rating | Overall side crash rating | Rollover rating | Overall vehicle score |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab 4WD/RWD | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab Hybrid 4WD/RWD | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Extended Cab 4WD/RWD | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Regular Cab 4WD/RWD | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Cab | 2 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Cab 4WD | 2 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab | 2 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4WD | 2 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Dodge Ram 1500 Regular Cab | 2 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Dodge Ram 1500 Regular Cab 4WD | 2 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab 4WD/RWD | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Hybrid 4WD/RWD | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| GMC Sierra 1500 Extended Cab 4WD/RWD | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab 4WD/RWD | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| GMC Yukon Hybrid | 5 | N/A | 3 | N/A |
| GMC Yukon Hybrid 4WD | 5 | N/A | 3 | N/A |
| Honda CR-Z | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Hyundai Sonata (Built on or after Sept. 7th) | N/A | 5 | 5 | N/A |
| Kia Soul | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Mazda3 4-door | 5 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Mazda3 5-door | 5 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Toyota Tacoma Crew Cab RWD | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Toyota Tacoma Crew Cab AWD | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
For a full list of the vehicles evaluated and further details on the program, see www.safercar.gov.
Learn about car safety in our special section.
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