/articles/2006/06/impala_and_aval

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tested large sedans in side crashes and found the Chevrolet Impala and Toyota Avalon fared best. Both cars come standard with side airbags and received ratings of “Good.” Despite the hum-drum naming convention, “Good” is actually the best a car can rank in IIHS tests. Side impacts cause the second highest number of car-crash fatalities.

Airbags alone didn’t win the test for the Impala and Avalon. The Chrysler 300, when tested with optional side airbags, only received a “Marginal” rating, failing to notch even an “Average” score. So did the Buick LaCrosse and Pontiac Grand Prix. Those that received the worst, or “Poor,” rating weren’t equipped with optional side airbags. That group included the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Ford Five Hundred, Mercury Montego, Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis.

Both the Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego, when tested with their optional side airbags, received the top rating of “Good” in 2005. Ford will be making side airbags standard for both cars in the 2007 model year.

Even if every car with side airbags didn’t receive the highest rating, they’re still an excellent feature that buyers should look for when considering safety in a purchasing decision.

[Source: Insurance Institute of Highway Safety]