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The Chevrolet Volt has earned five stars in the overall and side crash test, and dynamic rollover test performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Volt received four stars for the front crash, but its overall score is five stars.
NHTSA instituted a more stringent five-star safety ratings system for the 2011 model year, and consequently, the higher standards have made it more difficult for cars to achieve the coveted five-star rating in each test. The Volt provided five-star protection in the male test dummy in the 35-mph collision with a fixed barrier, but the injury risk to the female test dummy representing the passenger earned a four star rating for that seating position.
The revised NHTSA crash program includes a more comprehensive evaluation in front and side crash, and rollover resistance than in years past. Each model also receives an overall vehicle score, which combines the results of the three tests and compares them to the injury risk in other vehicles. These tougher standards will motivate manufacturers to make continued improvement to vehicle structure, while better differentiating the better-performing models.
The high marks for the Volt in NHTSA's tests combined with the recent Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety highlight the plug-in hybrid's occupant protection. See the Volt's IIHS crash test video below.
We are currently testing the Volt at our track and will report our findings in the coming weeks.
Other models, which were also recently tested in NHTSA's crash ratings include the Mazda Tribute, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Nissan Rogue, Scion tC, and Toyota Corolla.
See details on their scores below.
| Make and model | Overall frontal crash rating | Overall side crash rating | Rollover rating | Overall vehicle score |
| Chevrolet Volt | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Mazda Tribute | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Nissan Rogue | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Scion tC | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Toyota Corolla | 4 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
See the list of the models released previously:
NHTSA unveils vehicle ratings under updated star safety system
NHTSA releases second batch of vehicle ratings under new system
NHTSA crash tests pickup trucks under the new more rigorous ratings system
Latest NHTSA 5-star crash results--Honda Civic only gets two stars
NHTSA crash tests more vehicles under new 5-Star system, Chevrolet Cruze and Volvo XC60 excel
NHTSA crash tests more vehicles under new, tougher 5-star ratings system
—Liza Barth
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