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IIHS Low-Speed Crash Results:Midsize Luxury


Bumpers should protect car bodies from damage in low-speed collisions, the kind that frequently occur in congested urban traffic. But many don't. The Institute conducts four 5 mph crash tests to assess bumper performance: front-into-flat-barrier, rear-into-flat-barrier, front-into-angle-barrier, and rear-into-pole. Vehicles are listed in alphabetical order by manufacturer.

NOTE: Repair costs are as of February 2001.

  Front
into
flat
barrier
Rear
into
flat
barrier
Front
into
angle
barrier
Rear
into
pole
All
four
tests

Average
damage
per test

AUDI A6      
1999 models$0$0$1,029$1,029$2,058$515
BMW 328i      
2000 models$0$1,004$782$683$2,469$617
CADILLAC CATERA      
1999 models$842$674$966$1,647$4,129$1,032
MERCEDES C 320      
2001 models$491$1,005$694$2,484$4,674$1,169
SAAB 9-5      
1999 models$95$120$1,147$880$2,242$561
VOLVO S80      
2000 models*$4,767$384$1,088$1,621$7,860$1,965

*Includes cost to replace airbags, which deployed.


©1996-2002, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute
Last modified: 28-Jan-2002