The U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has released new crash test data on a number of new vehicles today. The vehicles tested include the 2007 Dodge Caliber, 2006 Kia Optima and 2007 Toyota Camry, 2006 Lincoln Zephyr, and 2006 Hyundai Tucson and 2006 Toyota RAV4. “Results show that automakers are moving quickly to improve side impact protection,” says Institute president Adrian Lund. “They’re responding to our crash test by making side airbags with head protection standard in more models.” None of the six vehicles earned the Institute’s ‘Top Safety Pick’ award. The two vehicles that earned top ratings in front and side tests were rated too low (marginal) for protection in rear impacts. Notably, the Toyota Camry received a perfect rating for side impacts. The new Dodge Caliber also showed a significant improvement over the Neon. Video and more after the jump…

Camry is a top performer in the side impact test: The redesigned Camry is one of only six car models the Institute has tested to earn a perfect score in the side test. The Institute rates the risk of injury separately for the head, neck, torso, pelvis, and legs. Vehicle side structure also is rated. The Camry is good in all of these categories. For the 2007 model year, this car has standard curtain-style side airbags designed to protect people’s heads plus separate side airbags to protect the torsos of front-seat occupants.

Caliber improves compared with Neon: The Caliber replaces the Dodge Neon, one of the worst performing small cars in the Institute’s front and side tests. The new model is a much better performer. The Caliber is rated good overall for frontal crash protection, while the Neon was marginal. The Caliber also is improved in the side test. It’s rated marginal overall, compared with a poor rating for the old Neon. Head protection made the biggest difference.

“In the side test of the Neon, the barrier hit the heads of both the driver and rear passenger dummies,” Lund points out. “Massive head injuries would have been likely for a driver and possible for a passenger in a similar real-world crash. In contrast, the heads of both dummies in the Caliber were cushioned by the side curtain airbags, which are standard. Side crashes often are serious, but head protection afforded by side airbags can mean a much better chance of surviving.”

Side airbags to protect the torsos of front-seat occupants will be added as optional equipment in the Caliber later in the 2007 model year, and Lund says he expects these airbags to improve this car’s performance.

Tucson improves too: Another vehicle to improve is the Hyundai Tucson, which also is sold as the Kia Sportage. The previous generation of this vehicle, sold only as the Sportage through the 2002 model year, was rated marginal in the frontal test. The new model is rated acceptable. High forces recorded on the dummy’s left leg and right leg and foot kept it from earning a good rating. This vehicle with standard side airbags also is acceptable in the side test.

Lincoln Zephyr isn’t competitive: This is the only luxury model tested this time around. It’s the only midsize luxury car rated acceptable for frontal crash protection.

“This is not a bad rating,” Lund says, “but all of the other midsize luxury cars we’ve tested get good ratings for frontal crash protection, so the Zephyr isn’t competitive in its class for safety. Plus several less expensive midsize cars earn better overall ratings than the Zephyr. This shows you don’t have to buy a luxury car to get good crash protection, and spending more money doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get more safety.”

Ford says changes are under way to improve the frontal crash performance of the Zephyr and its less expensive sibling, the Ford Fusion. The automaker has requested testing again later this year.

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