Side-crash testing represents an intersection type
collision with a 3,015-pound barrier moving at 38.5 mph into a standing
vehicle, with crash test dummies buckled in the driver and rear
passenger seats. The moving barrier is covered with crushable material
to replicate the front of a vehicle. Side-impact crash star ratings
indicate the chance of a life-threatening chest injury for the driver,
front-seat passenger, and rear-seat passenger.
Head injury is currently not included in the side-
impact crash star rating. As with the frontal-crash test ratings,
a serious injury is one that may be life-threatening and that requires
immediate hospitalization. Given that the same size barrier crashes
into all of the tested vehicles, it is possible to compare vehicles
from different weight classes when looking at side-crash test ratings.
= 5 percent or less chance of serious injury
= 6 percent to 10 percent chance of serious injury
= 11 percent to 20 percent chance of serious injury
= 21 percent to 25 percent chance of serious injury
