Forbes picks 'Safest Cars' for 2006
The list-meisters over at Forbes Magazine are at it again, this time short-listing what it says are the safest cars available in 2006. And it is indeed a short list-- just four cars:
- Acura RL
- Honda Civic
- Saab 9-3
- Volvo S80
Forbes based its results on vehicles posting high Consumer Reports accident avoidance findings, as well as perfect scorecards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and/or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Forbes admits that it excluded vehicles not long for this world, which makes their choice of the current Volvo S80 a little puzzling. Either way, we wouldn't exactly recommend playing chicken with private planes, as seen above.
Click on the link for a better explanation of their methodology, along with the magazine's standard slide-show treatment.
[Sources: Forbes; Volvo Canada]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mike 7:08PM (5/02/2006)
If the Ford Five Hundred is based on the S80, does that make it safe too?
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Joshvar 7:23PM (5/02/2006)
I was recently in an accident in a friend's 05 RL, and it made a believer out of me. I just feel bad for getting root beer all over his car (I didn't have time to put it down before impact).
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Bert 9:10PM (5/02/2006)
And what about the Saaburu?
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Leo 9:29PM (5/02/2006)
If you sissy lalas want to stay REALLY safe you could always just stay in bed.
Buy what you love to drive and don't wuss out and buy a Vulva.
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s 10:15PM (5/02/2006)
Honda and Acura doesn't surprise me.
Another freakign award for the Civic!
Geezz... that's what 20 now and it hasn't been out a year.
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That One Person 10:40PM (5/02/2006)
They need to make a list of the most unsafe cars...my Regal would be on top...I know I am lame lol
Anyways, congrats on those cars that were chosen.
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Howard Kerr 11:19PM (5/02/2006)
Yeah, when I'm looking for THE last word on anything automotive...I always read Forbes magazine (please note sarcasm).
My sister wants to buy a Prius hybrid and I think the Civic hybrid is a better choice because of all it's standard safety features...features Toyota makes you pay extra for. If it wasn't for the Civic's oddball dashboard, I would be a bigger booster.
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PJ 11:57PM (5/02/2006)
Hey Leo... that car that owned you on the freeway the other day was a 300-horspower Volvo V70 R. Just thought you might be interested.
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Steve B. 12:20AM (5/03/2006)
The Jeep Wrangler would have to be the winner for least safe. How many cars have stickers on the inside warning you NOT to expect the doors to protect you in a crash?
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Rene Curry 4:15AM (5/03/2006)
Real world... Crash other cars into these cars and pick the safest car. I would place my bets on the Lincoln Towncar. Next...
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Leo 7:54AM (5/03/2006)
PJ,
My 350Z Track beats the Volvo by almost 2 FULL seconds in the MT slalom, gets better fuel economy and is easier to park. Plus the Nissan has the added distinction of not looking like a WOMAN'S car. LOL
Owned me my arse. Tell your husband I said hi
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mike 8:07AM (5/03/2006)
Leo,
My brother in-law has an S60R. I've driven BMW's most of my life and in that mix was an 88 M5 and a 91 540i. The Volvo, after it was chipped, would eat both of them alive and that M5 had 300 ponies when I was done with it. Not to mention he's got all wheel drive and it now starting to push close to 360hp. He also has the factory aoro package which looks dynamite. By the way, there are 2 Z cars in my past...my mom had a 240z and my ex-girlfriend had a 280zx. Hmm...speaking of girls cars...
Just kidding. I like the 350Z but it's not everything to everybody. The article was about safety, not performance. Maybe we should both try to stay on point.
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LoneWolf 10:03AM (5/03/2006)
Whats about the Renaults?
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Philbert 10:36AM (5/03/2006)
Cool, two Honda's, a GM and a Ford on the list.
As for safest, you get in your Civic, I'll get in my Suburban and we can head butt. I wonder who will come out ahead in that collision?
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Thomas 11:55AM (5/03/2006)
Philbert, it is true that IIHS tests replicate a car crashing into the same car (i.e. a civic crashing into ANOTHER civic.) IIHS tells you, although not very clearly, that one should only compare test ratings INSIDE weight classes.
So, a civic best pick isn't necessarily as safe as an S80 best pick. The civic is hel to lower standards, and yes, its steel would buckle at the thought of coming into contact with a 'burban.
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PJ 2:44PM (5/03/2006)
Leo -
He says "ha ha, that made you insecure enough to go look up the MT figures."
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Road Tester 5:07PM (5/03/2006)
Renaults would definitely make the list, but aren't sold in the US, so I guess that's why Forbes didn't mention them.
I'm still surprised that no German luxury makes are included. I'd always thought an S-Class would be as save as it could get.
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Bruce 5:50PM (5/03/2006)
I guess according to Leo, you or your loved ones staying alive or unparalyzed is for wimps. I guess some people don't have a whole lot to live for out there. I suggest a Harley, Leo.
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Tom Lease 7:01PM (5/03/2006)
Article I wrote about my 2001 9-5 in the 4/22/06 San Francisco Chronicle:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/04/22/MTG7TICP1C1.DTL&hw=Tom+Lease&sn=005&sc=188
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Tom Lease 7:30PM (5/03/2006)
Article on my SAAB 9-5 Aero SportWagon from the 4/22/06 San Francisco Chronicle newspaper:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/04/22/MTG7TICP1C1.DTL&hw=Tom+Lease&sn=005&sc=188
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