2013 Porsche 911 - Safety Review and Crash Test Ratings

Who wants to crash a brand-new 911? Exactly--no one, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

It's common for expensive sports cars to miss out on official crash testing, but the 2013 Porsche 911 offers a range of electronic safety features to help assuage worried shoppers. Porsche Stability Management (PSM) is the brand's name for its stability and traction control systems, which can vary their level of assistance depending on the driving mode chosen, though all levels function to help keep the car pointed along the path the driver intends.

New for 2013 is a standard (on PDK-equipped models) adaptive cruise control system that uses front-looking radar to maintain distance from traffic. Even when not in use, the radar can spot road obstacles or other hazards and prime the braking system to improve stopping distances.

Porsche Side Impact Protection (POSIP) adds thorax airbags, an upward-inflating airbag in the door panel, and reinforcements in the doors to help minimize injury in a side-impact situation.

The 911's innate handling and braking capability also help drivers avoid road obstacles or other cars, and with optional ceramic composite brakes, the high-speed stopping ability of the 2013 Porsche 911 is enhanced even further.

As with most modern cars, the 911's aluminum and steel body is designed to help shield occupants while dispersing the energy of a crash.