2013 Honda Accord V6 Touring: Driven
The Honda Accord is now in its ninth generation, and as we reported in our First Drive of the 2013... Read More
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Around The Web
Four stars for front impact protection
Good," front impact; "poor," side impact
subpar side-impact crash test results
SAFETY | 6 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
Four stars for front impact protection
NHTSA
Good," front impact; "poor," side impact
IIHS
subpar side-impact crash test results
Edmunds
Safety is a concern if you’re considering the 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle or New Beetle Convertible. NHTSA (the federal government agency) rates the New Beetle at four stars for front crash protection, four for driver side protection, and just three stars for passenger side protection. The insurance-supported IIHS gives the New Beetle a frontal-offset score of “good,” though the New Beetle is rated “poor”—the lowest score—in side impact.
Edmunds calls the side-impact crash tests results "subpar." And although TheCarConnection.com is unsure why, Kelley Blue Book points to the New Beetle’s "excellent crash-test results and projected accident-repair costs."
Though the protection might not measure up, the features are there: Stability control is standard, along with anti-lock brakes and front airbags. Consumer Reports notes that, if sensors detect an imminent tip, pop-up roll bars activate automatically.
Automedia warns that with the top down, "the straight back view is limited somewhat by the tall, top stack."
Conclusion
The 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle is downright disappointing if you go by the crash-test ratings.
