Record 9 Models Have Zero Highway Deaths, IIHS Says. Do you have one of these cars?

[FLPanhandle]

http://www.cnbc.com/id/102380789

The highway death toll has been plunging rapidly in recent years, and safety experts are crediting a number of factors, including improved roadways and a crackdown on drunk driving. But a new study puts the spotlight on vehicle design and improved technology for both preventing crashes and keeping motorists alive when they do occur.

A record total of nine models sold during the 2011 model-year have had a driver death rate of zero, meaning no one was killed in a crash involving those vehicles during the period studied by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. IIHS released a report on the findings Thursday.

The nine vehicles are:

Audi A4 4WD
Honday Odyssey
Kia Sorento 2WD
Lexus RX 350 4WD
Mercedes-Benz GL-Class 4WD
Subaru Legacy 4WD
Toyota Highlander hybrid 4WD
Toyota Sequioa 4WD
Volvo XC90 4WD

On the whole, the insurance industry research group's study shows that today's cars, trucks and crossovers are getting safer. Had vehicles not undergone major improvements over the previous quarter century, estimated the IIHS, there would have been 7,700 more fatalities in just the year 2012.


My old Ford Bronco didn't make the list unfortunately.

[hobbit709]

1. All of those are at least $30,000 beyond my ability to buy.

[pnwmom]

4. I bet most of those 2011's cost less than that, now that they're 4 years old.

Not that they would be cheap enough . . .

[hobbit709]

13. $3000 is about $2900 beyond my budget. I get a whopping $968/mo SS.

[pnwmom]

31. Thanks for the reality check. n/t

[Jackpine Radical]

32. That is so unfair, man.

It pains me and brings me near tears when I wonder when we can turn this country into a decent, caring nation that cares for all its members.

[Jackpine Radical]

5. Go for an OLD Subaru.

I rolled a 1996 Impreza--it rolled completely over twice--and they got me out by just opening the door.

And if you don't roll them, they go forever. My 2001 Outback with 140k miles is going strong, just starting to show hints of corrosion around the wheel wells. My wife has well over 200k miles on her 2003 Forester & it's still going strong.

[FLPanhandle]

7. We are looking to buy the new Outback

With the kids driving now, there is no need for the minivan anymore.

The Subarus and Volvos are our top choices.

[Jackpine Radical]

9. We live out in the country in northern Wisconsin, and

find the AWD invaluable, both in snow season and in the spring mud season.

[hobbit709]

14. I got a 1992 Toyota pickup with 145K miles on it. Solid steel all the way around.

[Jackpine Radical]

16. I have a '95 Mazda 4wd pickup

(basically a Ford Ranger with a Mazda logo) & 92k on it. The body's in great shape except for a small crinkle in a front fender.

I once had a 1980 Toyota pickup 2wd longbed 4-cyl that was a great truck. We drove it until it rusted to death, at about 220k.

[NV Whino]

27. Ha! I had a 77 that I actually drove to the junk yard

It started its life on Nevada's salted roads and by the time I turned it in, it was rust held together by paint. Had it not been for the rust, I would still have it.

[Glassunion]

21. Actually, no they are not.

Those numbers include used models sold in that same year. They range from 2008 to 2011.

[hobbit709]

22. See my reply #13

[Glassunion]

23. Understood

I was simply stating that they are not all $30K, not that they were within your ability.

[former9thward]

2. For this study to be meaningful it would be nice to know

what share of the market these cars represent.

[FLPanhandle]

6. Good point.

However, Honda, Toyota's, Subaru, and Volvo are pretty mainstream cars. It's not like the list is all Bentley's and Maybach's so I would think there are enough of the 9 on the road to be statistically relevant.

[Glassunion]

19. Did some digging

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/sr/statusreport/article/50/1/1


Vehicle - Units Sold in the 2011 model year.
Audi A4 4WD - 120,394
Honday Odyssey - 100,518
Kia Sorento 2WD - 106,363
Lexus RX 350 4WD - 185,441
Mercedes-Benz GL-Class 4WD - 170,820
Subaru Legacy 4WD - 116,291
Toyota Highlander hybrid 4WD - 141,251
Toyota Sequioa 4WD - 110,430
Volvo XC90 4WD - 111,610

These 9 vehicles total 1,163,118 of the vehicles sold in 2011. The total number of vehicles sold in 2011 was 62,932,462. So basically these 9 vehicles comprise 1.84% of all of the vehicles sold in 2011.

This seems insignificant, however when you compare model to model, in the same class, it does seem significant.

Let's look at the top of the list. The Audi A4 4WD is in the same midsize luxury class as the Lexus IS 250 4WD. They both have 4WD, they both cost about the same, Lexus: $39k vs Audi $35k. Both sold almost exactly the same units in 2011... Lexus Sold: 120,537 and Audi sold: 120,394. The deaths per million registered vehicle years for the Audi was 0 and the Lexus 30.

I see where you are coming from that with so few vehicles on the road, that the odds of them being in an accident are lower or fewer and farther between.

Here is another rundown of Midsized 4-Door Cars - number of units sold - deaths per million registered vehicle deaths, with similar units sold.
Subaru Legacy 4WD - 116,291 - 0
Volkswagen CC - 101,114 - 8
Volkswagen Jetta - 112,225 - 20

[former9thward]

20. Interesting. Thanks for the research!

[DeadLetterOffice]

29. Subaru Legacy 4WD - 116,291

Were all of those sold in New England and upstate NY?
'Cuz they're EVERYWHERE around here... (says the woman on her 3rd Subaru AWD wagon in 23 years...)

[Glassunion]

33. That was only the number of units sold in 2011.

It included used and new ones from 2008 to 2011.

[Agschmid]

30. Nice work!

[rgbecker]

35. You gotta take into account the demographics of the drivers.

Which cars are younger drivers using, teens and 20's, for example?

[Glassunion]

36. True

But if you look at my example you don't have too many teens driving Audi A4's and the Lexus IS 250, but there is a large disparity in the results. The two vehicles are similar in price, performance, etc... and to me would appeal to the same demographic of driver.

I would agree with the one poster below, that safe drivers tend to choose safe vehicles. It was a big selling point in my decision to buy the vehicle that I did. I review the IIHS when making my decision on a vehicle purchase. On the IIHS website my vehicle is in the same category as the Audi (midsized luxury sedan), and was rated in 3rd place behind the Audi A4 and the Acura TL. I bought a used one that was 4 years old, and could not be happier.

I feel that the driver does make most of the difference in collision avoidance, however no matter how good of a driver you are, there are people out there who are doing everything in their power to try and kill you... (messing with their phone while driving).

[riderinthestorm]

3. I have the Volvo XC90. I LOVE this car

Best one ever for me.



Volvo are known for their safety record and I bought it purposefully for that reason.

[FLPanhandle]

8. Now don't get yourself killed in it and ruin the Volvo's record.

[riderinthestorm]

11. Ha! Just my luck I've jinxed it now...

[lovuian]

10. I LOVE my Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Best car I've ever owned

[hfojvt]

12. only $50,000 for a new highlander

my house cost $35,000

so, no, I don't drive a $50,000 vehicle.

[kaiden]

17. We bought a 2008 Toyota Highlander Sport in September. (We can't afford new cars.)

It has a tow package with electric (squeee!) for our horse trailer. It is the best car we have ever owned. Ever. It just "feels" safe.

[riderinthestorm]

18. Bought mine used for a fraction of the price... Nt

[hunter]

15. There's some self-selection going on here.

Safe drivers select safer cars...

... if they can afford them.

[Rhinodawg]

24. Where does my Yugo rate ?

lol

[FLPanhandle]

34. I think you are the only surviver of the Yugo

Otherwise it would have a 100% death rate.

[Bandit]

25. Not an American car in the lot

Subaru Legacy is not a 4WD, it is AWD and there is quite a difference..

[ChosenUnWisely]

26. The Audi A4 is the only UNION made car on the list

Sick of seeing the middle class shrink?

Well fight back and buy UNION made or watch the middle class go away.

They say you should dance with the one who brought ya.

Well UNIONS long many of us were born fought for the 40 hours work week, work place safety, better pay and benefits, Everything we enjoy and expect in life in a job was fought for by unions.

So are you going to dance with?

[Agschmid]

28. I do!

Go Subaru!