IIHS: Crash Test Report

Report shows midsize cars are making big strides in side-impact crashes.

By: Jennifer Rogers | WKRG-TV
Published: April 10, 2008

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WASHINGTON (AP) - The insurance industry is reporting big
strides in several makes and models of midsize cars when it comes
to withstanding side-impact crashes.
Thanks to side air bags that are now standard and improved
designs, cars in the latest crash tests do much better than those
four years ago.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives top scores in
front-end and side-impact crashes to the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu,
Saturn Aura, Dodge Avenger, Nissan Altima, Infiniti G35 and
Mitsubishi Galant. The 2008 Kia Optima received the highest score
in front-end tests and the second-highest score in the side test.
The Institute says 10 similar vehicles tested in 2004 without
side air bags received the lowest rating of "poor" in the side
tests.
In rear-end testing, the results were mixed. The Optima was the
only vehicle tested to receive a top rating.