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.

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