subject: New Haven, CT: Acura MDX scores 5-stars on new crash tests [print this page] New Haven, CT: Acura MDX scores 5-stars on new crash tests
New Haven, CT used Acura and new Acura dealer has a 5-star crash test rated vehicle on its lot. This rating used to be easily achieved and thus, the claim of having 5-star rated vehicles on dealer lots was not extremely impressive. However, thanks to new regulations by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 5-star crash test ratings are much harder to come by. The impressive vehicle available at your local New Haven, CT used Acura and new Acura dealer is the stylish Acura MDX.
The Acura MDX earned four stars in both the Overall Frontal Crash Rating and the Rollover Rating categories. In the category of Overall Side Crash Rating, the Acura MDX earned a perfect five stars and also did so in the Overall Rating as well.
It is important for consumers to remember that the new guidelines for the 5-Star Safety Ratings system and extremely different than the old rating system and therefore cannot be compared. The old system made earning five stars quite easy for vehicles to do, meaning vehicles that did not earn five stars could really be considered as unsafe vehicles. In today's system, however, this is simply not true.
For example, the Toyota Camry used to be a 5-Star rated vehicle but under the new conditions, it only earns three stars. However, it is still the same vehicle. Under the new ratings only one vehicle tested thus far has earned five stars in every category. What consumers can glean from this is the Toyota Camry is not an unsafe car, but vehicles like the Acura MDX that earn either four and five star ratings in every category are really significantly safer vehicles than others on the road. Ultimately, this means you and your family will be safer.
The new ratings also give consumers a better understanding of which vehicles on the road are really the safest. They are designed to better judge vehicles in three safety categories deemed most important in the event of a crash: frontal crash, side crash and rollover resistance. Additionally, the NHTSA also added an overall vehicle score, which is a computation of the other three categories combined with a rating of a passenger's chance of injury risk in other vehicles. The NHTSA also began using smaller-sized dummies in crash tests to judge the impact crashes may have on female passengers.
So far, 33 vehicles have been tested by the NHTSA under the new ratings. The government agency has plans to test a total of 54 vehicles during its first year using the new rating system. These 54 vehicles will include 24 cars, 20 SUVs, 9 pick up trucks and 2 vans.
Your local New Haven, CT Acura dealer is pleased the NHTSA took the initiative to tighten the 5-Star Safety ratings so consumers can be more educated in the automobile market. Additionally, your New Haven, CT Acura dealer has always been aware of the fact that Acura vehicles, and specifically the MDX, are safer than most vehicles on the road. Now this fact is supported by the well-respected and unbiased NHTSA. To learn more about the MDX and the entire Acura lineup, visit your local Acura dealership today.
