2012 Toyota Camry earns 5-Star NHTSA crash rating

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released its first batch of 2012 model-year ratings this month. Under the stricter guidelines, only three 2012 models — the Chevrolet Camaro, Cadillac CTS and Toyota Camry — earned five-star composite scores from the safety agency.

In fact, as we previously reported, the Camaro is the only vehicle to earn a perfect rating across the board since the new guidelines took effect for the 2011 model year.

NHTSA's composite scores are composed of five-star ratings for frontal, rollover and a combined side-pole and barrier tests. The side-pole test, which is new, simulates a 20-mph side-impact crash into a 10-inch-diameter pole or tree at a 75-degree angle just behind the A-pillar on the driver's side.

The redesigned 2012 Camry earned a five-star overall rating, getting four stars in the frontal test, five stars in the side-crash test and four stars in the rollover test.
Besides the Camaro, Camry and CTS, all the other models — including new entries such as the 2012 Chrysler 200, Ford Explorer, Ford Focus and Fiat 500 — received no better than four-star overall scores.

Of the 22 trucks, SUVs, crossovers and passenger cars tested, most received four stars in frontal or rollover tests. Surprisingly, most vehicles — including the 2012 Fiat 500, Kia Sorento and Honda Pilot — conquered the more rigorous side-crash test with a five-star rating.

The 2012 Mazda3 and Chrysler 200 had the worst side-impact rating of the bunch, earning three stars. Some models, such as the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban and Cadillac Escalade ESV, had three-star rollover ratings.

NHTSA said it will test 74 vehicles for the 2012 model year (list here), including 42 passenger cars, 22 SUVs/crossovers, eight pickups and two minivans, representing 81% of the 2012 models by sales volume. Only three models have earned five-star ratings for the model year, but there are more than 50 models to go.

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