All Cars, All the Time

As Homer Simpson Would Say: "MMMMMM...Marginal"




The Toyota Camry is one step away from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's super, duper double gold award (otherwise known as "Top Pick"). The Camry's failing? Well, it just so happens to be a pain in the neck, whiplash that is. The same test, rear crash protection, that vaulted the Sedona to the top of the minivan heap, keeps the Camry off the Top Pick list. In my mind, there is no excuse for not having active headrests of some type on a family vehicle. I also make the argument that all airbags should be standard, as should ABS and stability control. Hopefully Toyota will step up to the plate on this post haste. Camry's otherwise stellar results are something to envy for the Lincoln formerly known as Zephyr which received two averages and a marginal and the title "Not Competitive."

One other test worth mentioning in the Hyundai Tuscon which has a full compliment of safety gear that I advocate save for active headrests. The Tuscon/Sportage received two averages and a poor. That goes to show that safety gear alone doesn't do the trick, the structure must be soundly designed as well. Full PDF is available here.