Dodge Caliber receives High Marks for frontal and poor for side-impacts

AP, WASHINGTON -[Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]The 2006 Kia Optima and 2007 Dodge Caliber also earned top scores in frontal tests, but the Caliber had the second-to-lowest score of marginal in side tests. The Optima was not tested on side protection.

The Caliber was an improvement upon its past version, the Dodge Neon sedan, providing protection to the heads of both dummies through side curtain air bags. In past tests, the Neon was rated poor in side-impact tests.

Max Gates, a spokesman for DaimlerChrysler AG, said the automaker will be adding optional side air bags in the Caliber to protect the torso later in the 2007 model year.

Gates said the vehicle has performed well in crash tests and noted that it received the government's highest rating, five stars, for frontal and side impact crash protection