Autoblog

Click the image above for a gallery of all the IIHS contenders.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has just released its most recent round of crash tests, rating everything from the Kia Amanti to the BMW 5-series in one fell swoop. With a focus set on more luxury-oriented vehicles, the IIHS tested six new models to destruction, and walked away with results for front, side and rear impacts.

Topping the list, were the 2007 Acura RL, Kia Amanti and Volvo S80, all of which earned top marks. The S80, not surprisingly, garnered the Institute's Top Safety Pick for overall crash worthiness, rating good in all three categories, plus having standard stability control. The BMW 5-series didn't fare as well, getting a "marginal" score on the side impact test, despite being equipped with side airbags.

Mercedes asked the IIHS to retest the 2007 E-Class after only scoring an "acceptable" rating when test previously. After re-engineering a number of interior bits, the score remained the same, although the Institute noted a slight improvement, but not enough to affect the overall score. IIHS president, Adrian Lund, remarked that the E-class could have earned the Top Safety Pick award if the side impact rating had increased.

The IIHS also retested a revised version of the 2007 Cadillac STS, which included reinforced B-pillars, front door trim and a modified side torso airbag, which resulted in an "acceptable" rating.

The Institute made it a point to say that nearly every passenger vehicle now earns a top rating for frontal crashes, but side and rear impacts remain all over the board.

The full IIHS press release is posted after the jump.

[Source: IIHS]

Buying a new car or truck can be a very expensive endeavor. Style, safety, and reliability are usually at the top of shopper's lists, but the one area that will get you in the end is the all-important resale value.

Some vehicles, like the Honda Odyssey, hold their value extremely well, even after five years. Owners of the Dodge Caravan aren't nearly as lucky, with resale values after half a decade of ownership at a paltry 24-percent of the sticker. As Forbes' Dan Leinert points out, however, the Caravan actually scores quite well in JD Powers studies, so the horrendous resale value can be accounted for when considering the large incentives that are used to move hundreds of thousands of Dodge minivans off dealer lots.

Most of the other vehicles on the list have either gone a really long time without an update, like the Crown Victoria, or are just plain lousy vehicles, like the Kia Amanti. Either way, if your vehicle appears on the "Losing Value List," we'd suggest you hold onto it -- for a while.

You can see the list of the biggest losers after the jump.

[Source: Forbes]

Kia's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Len Hunt, showed off the redesigned Kia Amanti at the LA Auto Show yesterday. Although the big news for Kia was the debut of the Rondo nanowagon, Len took a few minutes out his Rondoism shtick to mention the Amanti as well. The Amanti has earned its fair share of accolades and represents the value leader in segment. With the new enhancements, it should be an even better deal.

Topping the list of changes is a new 264 hp, 3.8-liter aluminum engine. That puts it smack dab in the Honda/Toyota/Ford range finally. Even better, that engine will be pushing a lighter platform with a suspension modified for better response and lighter weight. Woo hoo. And although it might look a lot like the current '90s E-Class knockoff styling hasn't changed much, Kia tells us they have made "significant exterior and interior styling upgrades." Well, the inside does look pretty nifty, and the outside is less stale to our eyes.

All-new features include 17-inch wheels and optional power adjustable pedals. Very Five Hundred. Better still is the fact that some features previously available only as options, will now be standard or available in value laden packages. Definitely a good lunge in the right direction for this competent but previously uninspiring sedan.

Full release and media pics after the jump.

[Source: Kia]