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NHTSA Gives 2006 SUVs High Marks

May 31, 2006

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that rollover ratings for 2006 SUVs show "a marked improvement over 2005 models." NHTSA says the gains are due to the increased number of SUVs with electronic stability control in 2006.

For new 2006 model year vehicles, the highest rated SUV was the Chevrolet HHR, earning four stars and a 14 percent chance of rollover if involved in a single-vehicle crash. The 2006 Chrysler Pacifica and Ford Freestyle, both carryover vehicles previously tested in earlier model years, remain the agency's highest rated SUVs overall with four stars and a 13 percent chance of rollover.

Of the 2006 model year tested vehicles, the lowest rated SUV was the Nissan Xterra 4x4, receiving three stars, representing a 25 percent chance of rollover.

NHTSA uses a five-star rating system, which ranks the likelihood of a rollover in a single vehicle crash. The top score is five stars, representing a rollover risk of less than 10 percent.

For pickups, the highest rated vehicle was the Honda Ridgeline 4x4 and the Toyota Tacoma 4x2 – each earning four stars or a 14 percent chance of rollover. The lowest rated pickups were the Toyota Tundra 4x2, the Nissan Titan 4x4, and the Nissan Frontier 4x2, each receiving three stars, a 21 percent chance of rollover.

For vans, the highest rated vehicle was the Kia Sedona, earning four stars and a 13 percent chance of rollover if involved in a single-vehicle crash. The lowest rated van was the Ford E350, receiving two stars, a 30 percent chance of rollover.

For passenger cars, the highest rated vehicle was the Pontiac G6, earning five stars and a 9 percent chance of rollover if involved in a single-vehicle crash. The lowest rated passenger car was the Scion xB, receiving four stars and an 18 percent chance of rollover.

For the 2006 model year, 39 SUVs or 42 percent of the SUVs rated earned four stars in the NHTSA rollover rating program. In 2005, 34 percent received four stars.

For the 2006 model year, 57 SUVs or 69 percent of all SUV models offer ESC as standard equipment. That is up from 43 percent in 2005.

The news comes as consumers are moving away from SUVs because of rising gasoline prices. Sales of once-popular vehicles like the ford Explorer are off as much as 50 percent for some models

NHTSA has long been an advocate of stability control systems. Research by the agency claims that ESC can reduce single vehicle crashes by 63 percent for SUVs and 30 percent for passenger cars.

"We have worked hard to encourage automakers to install the kind of safety technology needed to make cars safer, prevent crashes and save lives," said Acting NHTSA Administrator Jacqueline Glassman. Nearly all automakers now offer ESC on a total of 57 SUV models as standard equipment, and on six SUVs as an available option. That is up from 20 standard and 14 optional in 2003.

NHTSA is expected to mandate electronic stability control as part of sweeping rules designed to cut down on rollover injuries and deaths. The vast majority of rollovers occur in single-vehicle crashes when a driver loses control.

SUVs, because of a high center of gravity and generally more weight, are more likely to roll over than passenger cars.

General Motors Corp. is offering stability control on 40 vehicles this year, and plans to make it available on 44 models in 2007. GM and Ford Motor Co. have both agreed to make electronic stability control standard on all SUVs, pickup trucks and passenger vans weighing less than 10,000 pounds by 2010.

ESC technology was developed in the early 1990s and can adjust a vehicle's steering and brakes to help prevent skids and rollovers.

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