The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently completed its first round of front and side impact crash tests on new 2006 model year vehicles already in dealer showrooms, and found five vehicles -- the Honda Odyssey, Hyundai Sonata, the Hyundai Tucson, the Mercedes-Benz ML-Class, and the Subaru B9 Tribeca worthy of five-star ratings. The Pontiac G6 coupe took top honors in NHTSA’s rollover rating program.

New 2006 ratings for frontal impact are available for the Chevrolet Impala, Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Hyundai Tucson, Infiniti QX56, Kia Rio sedan, Lincoln Zephyr, Mercedes-Benz ML-Class, Mercury Milan, Mitsubishi Lancer, Nissan Armada, Pontiac Grand Prix, Subaru B9 Tribeca, Scion xB and Volkswagen's new Passat. Model year 2006 ratings for side impact are available for the Chevrolet Cobalt, Chevrolet Impala, Dodge Dakota, Ford Freestar, Honda Odyssey, Hyundai Sonata, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Rio sedan, Mercedes-Benz ML-Class, Mercury Monterey, Subaru B9 Tribeca, Scion xB and Volkswagen Passat. New model year 2006 rollover ratings are available for the BMW 3 series, Cadillac DTS, Chevrolet Cobalt, Chevrolet Impala, Ford Fusion, Honda Civic coupe and sedan, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Rio sedan, Lincoln Zephyr, Mercedes ML-Class, Mercury Milan, Pontiac G6 coupe, Scion xB and Volkswagen Passat.

NHTSA’s safercar.gov consumer information program uses a one to five star rating system, with five being the highest rating in both crash and rollover testing. New model year 2006 ratings are available for 14 passenger cars, four SUVs, two vans and one pickup truck. All results, including previously tested model year vehicles, are available at the agency’s web site: www.safercar.gov.