Side testing for passenger cars began in model year
1997.  MY 1999 is the first year that Light Trucks, SUVs
and Vans were required to pass the side federal
standard.

The heavier vehicles are not included in the side impact
test because their Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is over
6000 lbs. These vehicles do not fall within the FMVSS
214 standard which serves as the basis for NCAP testing
procedure.

We divide the cars into weight classes.  These weight
categories are mini. sub-compact, compact, mid and full
size cars. The reason we list the cars by weight
categories is very important. Frontal crash results
should be compared against other vehicles in the same
weight class.  If a light vehicle collides head-on with
a heavier vehicle at 35mph, the occupants in the lighter
vehicle could experience a greater chance of injury than
the results of this test indicate.

Side crash results can be compared across classes.  This
is because all vehicles are impacted with the same
barrier.

Under S_Air there are four entries:
									
1st Column: Side Air Bag Front
2nd Column: Side Air Bag Rear
3rd Column: Head Bag Front
4th Column: Head Bag Rear

Coding for S_Air Column:			
Y- Yes, equipment was used in test
S- Standard equipment, used in test
O- Optional, equipment not used in test