RUCKERSVILLE, VIRGINIA — All three iconic American muscle cars have all failed to meet the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's criteria in their recent crash tests.
The Institute collected and crashed the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger for full crash tests for the first time-- and none earned the Institute's coveted "Top Safety Pick" award. The Institute typically has not tested the muscle cars because of their small market share, but decided to evaluate the V-8 versions because of their high crash and injury rates.
When crashed into a fixed barrier at 40 mph for the small-front overlap test, only the Camaro received a "good" rating. The Mustang earned an "acceptable" rating, which the Institute engineers said was the only test holding it back from earning the "Top Safety Pick" rating. The Challenger dummy received such extensive damage that its foot had to be removed in order to free it. As a result, the Challenger received a "marginal" rating.
The Institute also conducted roof strength tests, where the Mustang received the best rating. Side impact tests were also conducted, at which all three received "good" ratings. While the Ford Mustang had the highest overall score, the Institute noted that of all three muscle cars were lagging behind safety features currently being offered in family-type cars.
Cox Media Group
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