Ford Ups its Crash-Test Scores With Standard Side Airbags

The 2006 versions of the Ford Fusion and Crown Victoria both received Poor crash-test ratings from the stringent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Neither car was equipped with side curtain airbags. Today, IIHS released results for the 2007 Fusion and Crown Victoria, on which Ford made side curtain airbags standard. The Fusion now rates as Acceptable and the Crown Vic just Marginal. The highest rating of Good is one step up from Acceptable.

The results are good news for Ford but still not up to par with models from Honda and Toyota. Toyota’s FJ Cruiser was tested with its optional side airbags and received Good ratings in all the IIHS’s crash tests, resulting in a perfect score. Ford's 2007 Freestyle crossover was also tested, and it received a Good side crash score.

[New Side Crash Tests: Performance of Two Fords Improves With Side Airbags, IIHS via Autoblog]