Ford Achieves High Safety Ratings with Taurus, Explorer

by Andrew Evans | Automobile.com | 8/24/2012

Three popular domestic vehicles have received the five-star overall safety rating by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The 2013 Taurus and Explorer models achieved the NHTSA rating in addition to the 2013 Lincoln MKS, also produced by the Ford Motor Company.

The automaker looks to rebound after a 3.8% sales dip in July, according to the Los Angeles Times. Ford also had two models, the 2013 Escape and 2013 F-150, miss the top rating. Both vehicles received a 4 star rating instead, according to a report by Edmunds.

Automobile.com compared the cost to insure Taurus, Explorer and Escape models newer than ten years using the results of a commissioned user survey. The results showed those who drive the Explorer pay the least, averaging $837.03 each year. Taurus drivers reported paying an average of $870.36 while Escape drivers rounded out the survey by paying $907.04 on average.

The NHTSA explains that higher star ratings translate to safer cars. Insurance companies often extend discounts to drivers of safe vehicles, lowering the overall costs of insuring. While the newly redesigned Escape achieved a higher safety rating than previous editions, the cost comparison shows the model still costs more to insure than the Taurus and Explorer.

According to the NHTSA, the organization rated approximately 60 percent of the light vehicle fleet available for sale in 2011. Drivers looking to purchase a vehicle are encouraged to factor in the cost of insurance for a more accurate assessment of ownership costs. Automobile.com users are able to browse insurance costs for most current models by using the cost comparison feature that debuted last month.