New Crash Test Ratings for 2011 Vehicles

Talk about a crash course in crash testing! The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is about to do away with 30 years of testing, launching a new program that will make it tougher to earn five stars in crash worthiness.

The key change is that cars will be rated against each other rather than against a standard performance level. Under the current system, so many cars get top scores that they all look alike. The new rating system will better identify top performers.

The stricter criteria include tougher crash tests, a single overall safety score, and information on crash avoidance technologies - to help consumers find cars with technology aimed at avoiding a crash in the first place.

These stricter ratings will give manufacturers an incentive to raise the bar when designing cars.

The first vehicles to be evaluated under the new system include models such as the Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Fiesta, Honda Odyssey, and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Once the tests are completed, the new ratings will be posted on safercar.gov.

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