Pleasing the folks over at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the United States isn’t easy. Just ask the Ford Mustang.
The non-profit organisation, which performs crash-tests in the US, decided to put a trio of muscle cars to the test, “because no one buys a sports car to drive in the slow lane”.
Thing is, none of the iconic sports coupes earned the scores needed to clinch a Top Safety Pick award.
The IIHS evaluated 2016 models of the Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang in the full battery of crashworthiness tests. The Mustang – which, of course, is the only one offered in South Africa – came closest to earning a top award, while the Camaro fell short in one category. The Challenger, though, was most in need of improvement, according to the IIHS.
To qualify for Top Safety Pick, vehicles must earn good ratings in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint evaluations and have a basic-rated front crash prevention system.
To qualify for the Institute’s highest award, the Top Safety Pick+, vehicles must earn good ratings in the five crashworthiness tests and an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention.
The Ford Mustang was just one good rating away from earning a Top Safety Pick, with its small overlap rating the only thing holding it back.
Watch some of the crash footage in the video below…