IIHS: Avenger good, Camry bad
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which crash-tests under conditions they consider more realistic than Federal safety testing, released several new vehicle tests today. The new slight overlap test impacts a small cross-section of the front of the vehicle, to simulate drifting to the wrong side of the road or colliding with a pole or other fixed object. The Avenger performed adequately, and the similar Chrysler 200 is expected to get a similar result.
The IIHS created a new level of achievement, the Top Safety Pick Plus award; winners must have good ratings in four of five evaluations, and must be at least acceptable in all ratings. Only 13 2013 cars have qualified so far, including Dodge Avenger and Chrysler 200 sedans; 117 2013 vehicles were awarded Top Safety Pick, an award that was created in 2006 but now has tighter criteria.
The Toyota Camry (the top selling car in its class) and the Prius V wagon were given poor ratings in the newest test, and were the worst mid-sized performers; both cars were launched in 2012.
