IIHS rating question

[MissKatie]

The Chevy Impala years 00-05 is rated Good in frontal crash test ratings, yet the 06-09 is only rated Acceptable. The 00-05, however, is not tested in side impact, and the 06-09 is rated Good for side impact. Why would the newer car get worse ratings? And if you were looking at both an 05 and an 06, all things being equal, which would you consider safer for the children in the back seat (RF, seat belt, harness)?

[bobandjess99]

well, very simply, the newer car tested worse.
Acceptable is still pretty good though.
Does the 05 have sab? does the 06?
Id probably lean toward an 06, since side impact is more likely to be deadly.

[MissKatie]

The 06 has SAB standard. I believe they were optional on the 05 and older. I was leaning towards the 06 because, the way I look at it, I know exactly how crash dynamics work for frontal crashes, since that is the type of crashes car seats are tested to perform in. I know that my seats protect the kids very well in a frontal crash. Since there is no national side impact standard though and eventually A will be in a booster outboard, I have some concerns about how they will perform in side impacts, so I'd rather have something that did well in a side impact, kwim?

It's really looking like this is it for us, I have a couple other cars on my list to check out but as far as needing a wide back seat and a head rest in the center position tall enough for M, it's looking like the best option in my price range.