New IIHS crash tests finds some family cars outperform luxury models

Proving paying more doesn't automatically equate to safer, some midsized cars do better than luxury models in the new frontal offset crash test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Of the 18 sedans tested in the latest group, two earned the top rating of Good, 11 were Acceptable, three Marginal, and two Poor.

Over the summer, the Institute first evaluated midsized luxury sedans with its new small overlap test. Despite the prestige brand represented, only three out of 11 models earned Good or Acceptable ratings.

The small overlap test was added to the organization's regimen in 2012 to drive further improvements in occupant protection. The test replicates a crash in which 25 percent of the driver side front corner of a car hits an immovable object, such as a tree or a pole. In the test, a vehicle strikes a 5-foot-tall rigid barrier going 40 mph.

The Honda Accord sedan and Suzuki Kizashi both earn a Good rating in this round of testing.

In rank order, the Ford Fusion, Honda Accord coupe, Kia Optima, Nissan Altima, Nissan Maxima, Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Dodge Avenger, Chrysler 200, Mazda6, and Volkswagen Passat earn Acceptable ratings.