How to choose

When shopping for any new vehicle, choose one with good front-and side- crash ratings within its class. Most classes of vehicle offer many good choices, so usually you needn't compromise on safety.

The vast majority of pre-2011 cars earned four or five NHTSA stars for front and side impact. Such a narrow performance spectrum limited the usefulness of the ratings themselves. The IIHS's more-demanding crash tests can better help to narrow down your car choices. Other things being equal, choose a vehicle that the IIHS rates Good or Acceptable in each of its tests.

As crash-test results show, side-impact air bags are an essential safety feature, and side air bags that protect the head and the chest are preferable to those that protect only the chest.

Ultimately, safety is active and passive, balancing the ability to avoid an accident and to survive one. In addition to air bags, belts, and structural integrity, studies have shown that electronic stability control (ESC) is another effective life-saving technology. Starting with the 2012 model year, ESC will be standard on all passenger vehicles. When shopping used, you need to be diligent to ensure the specific model you are considering is equipped with ESC.