What does a 5-star safety rating mean?

To calculate its safety ratings, the government conducts three key tests, says Jennifer Dang, division chief of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program.

*In FRONTAL-CRASH testing, the vehicle is crashed into a fixed barrier, simulating a head-on collision between two equal-size vehicles that are each traveling 35 mph.

*In SIDE-IMPACT testing, a moving barrier traveling 38.5 mph is crashed into the driver's side of a stationary vehicle.

*ROLLOVER RESISTANCE ASSESSMENT is based on two factors: the vehicle's top-heaviness and whether it can perform a maneuvering test without tipping.

A 5-star rating for each test indicates the lowest likelihood of sustaining a serious injury--less than 10% for frontal impact and rollover, and less than 5% for side impact. And Ford measures up extremely well. "Ford's scores reflect its commitment to safety," says NHTSA spokesman Rae Tyson.

(from My Ford, Sarah Tuff)