The NHTSA has not rated the Audi Q5 but has tested the A4 Avant, which is built on the same body. The A4 gets a lowly 3 stars for the driver crash test. Should I surmise that the Audi Q5 would get the same crash test results, including for the driver, or does the fact that it is heavier and higher negate such a conclusion?
How did the VW Tiguan do? That would be a closer match than the A4.
New criteria for the crash test data for the 2012 vehicles, so not all vehicles have been tested yet
When it comes to crash test ratings, don’t assume anything. Even though the vehicles may have similarities their crash ratings could be substantially different.
The A5 received all good ratings from IIHS, which makes it one of their top safety picks. You don’t need to assume anything.
Thanks for all of your comments. I realize that the IIHS has given the 2012 Q5 all top ratings but I cannot get a car that may only get a 3 out of 5 stars in the NHTSA (unless someone can show me why I should no longer consider the NHTSA’s tests irrelevant). IIHS and NHTSA are complementary tests and both need to be seriously considered.
This site might interest you:
http://www.informedforlife.org/
It may not be a question of relevance but of risk. What is the chance that you will be involved in an accident, and how does that risk increase as you drive faster? I mean you, specifically. If you rarely drive on the highway, then high speed crashes are irrelevant. If most of your driving is on the highway, the the opposite would be true. Still, it is unlikely that someone that is so attuned to safety would be involved in an accident. Surely you rate as a very defensive driver. And that is more valuable than any safety rating. Of course, you could call NHTSA and ask when they will test the Q5. If someone shows an interest, they just might test it a little quicker.