BMW 5 Series and Hyundai Sonata Lead 2011 NHTSA Safety Ratings
The 2011 BMW 5 Series and Hyundai Sonata received top five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration under its tougher new standards.
The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) named the BMW 5 Series and Hyundai Sonata as the only cars to earn five-star overall safety ratings for the 2011 model year under its newly toughened crash-testing regime. The results reflect a shift in the agency’s approach, with revised tests and stricter criteria making top scores harder to achieve than in previous years.
The NHTSA overhauled its safety assessment programme for 2011, responding to criticism that too many vehicles were achieving perfect scores under the old system. The new tests include revised frontal and side crash procedures, along with new injury criteria and a single overall vehicle score. As a result, only two mainstream models, the BMW 5 Series saloon (rear-wheel drive) and the later-release Hyundai Sonata, secured the full five stars.
Tougher standards reduce top scores
Many vehicles that previously held five-star ratings dropped to four or even three stars under the 2011 protocol. Among the four-star recipients were the Audi A4 (saloon and Avant), Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Taurus, Subaru Legacy, and Toyota Sienna. The Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid managed only three stars, while the Nissan Versa was rated at two stars. The NHTSA’s intention was to provide clearer differentiation for consumers and push manufacturers to further improve crash safety.
- Five-star: BMW 5 Series (saloon, RWD), Hyundai Sonata (later release)
- Four-star: Audi A4, Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Taurus, Subaru Legacy, Toyota Sienna, among others
- Three-star: Toyota Camry, Toyota Camry Hybrid
- Two-star: Nissan Versa
Implications for buyers and manufacturers
For buyers, the new ratings highlight the importance of checking the year and version of a car when comparing safety scores. A 2011 model with four stars may still be safer than a five-star car from a previous year, due to the tougher standards. For manufacturers, the results underline the need for ongoing investment in crash structures, restraint systems and active safety technologies to regain top ratings under the revised regime.
IIHS Top Safety Pick and future tests
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) also conducts its own crash tests, awarding the Top Safety Pick to vehicles that perform well in a different set of assessments. For 2011, the IIHS was planning to introduce new tests by the end of the year, which could further challenge automakers to improve occupant protection. Results from these tests were expected to follow later in the year.
