2016 Lexus RC Tops Mustang, Camaro, and Challenger In Important Testing

Why can’t the Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro, and Dodge Challenger measure up to the Lexus RC Sports coupe on safety tests?

In a comprehensive round of testing this week three popular sports coupes, the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, and Dodge Challenger failed to equal the Lexus RC sports coupe. The Insurance Institute For Highway Safety found that not a single one could earn top safety scores.

The Mustang and Challenger could not make the grade on the small frontal overlap test. This test simulates hitting a telephone pole with just the front corner of the vehicle. In real-life crashes, this type of accident represents fully one-quarter of the serious and fatal crashes. The Camaro could not make the grade on the roof crush test, perhaps the easiest of all tests conducted.

In the case of the 2016 Dodge Challenger, the small frontal overlap test was particularly interesting. Adrian Lund, IIHS President, said of the test, "During the crash, the Challenger's front wheel was forced rearward into the occupant compartment, and the footwell intrusion trapped the dummy's left foot and deformed its ankle," Lund explains. "Our technicians had to unbolt the dummy's foot from its leg in order to free it. Entrapment is pretty rare. That's only happened five other times in a small overlap test."

None of these cars offer advanced or superior front crash prevention systems, so none would even qualify for the Top Safety Pick Plus designation. Tested last year, the Lexus RC sports coupe earned the Top Safety Pick Plus designation. It is not unusual for cars to earn this level of safety anymore. Cars like the Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, and Mazda3 can all earn this ranking.