BMW BLOG

What is the safest car? A very popular question which leads to tens of annual rankings done by car magazines, automobile blogs, consumer reports websites. Well, today, we're going the other route: What are the most dangerous cars? Which cars score the lowest in crash tests?

Number ONE Buick Rendezvous

The 2007 model which scored very low in the NHTSA frontal impact rating will be replaced by a 2008 model which features new standard safety equipment.

2. Ford Ranger

The Ranger gets a low three-star NHTSA rollover rating, (which corresponds to a 20% to 30% risk of rollover in a single-vehicle crash) with one of the highest rollover risk factors (0.3) of any vehicle.

3. Nissan Frontier

The Frontier was also rated "Poor" (out of good, acceptable, marginal or poor) by the IIHS in rear impact. Both Frontiers tested didn't have side airbags or side curtain bags, which are also optional.

4. Ford Escape/ Mercury Mariner

The federal government also gives the Mariner one of few three-star ratings, which corresponds to a relatively high risk of rollover. And stability control isn't available. Waiting for the '08 would be a smart move, as front side airbags, side curtain bags and stability control will all finally be standard.

5. Toyota Yaris

The Yaris four-door performs badly in both major side-crash tests, with three stars from NHTSA and a "Poor" rating from the IIHS.

6. Hyundai Accent

When the federal government tested an Accent four-door sedan, it rated its side-impact performance with three stars–the lowest it gets in 2007.

7. Toyota Matrix/ Pontiac Vibe

Without the optional side airbags, the Matrix gets only three stars for front-seat passengers in the side-impact test. Stability control is optional on both models, which are due to be replaced by a new model after '08.

8. Kia Rio

It gets a low, three-star NHTSA side impact rating, plus appalling "Poor" ratings in both side- and rear-impact tests and the not-quite-passable "Acceptable" frontal rating from the IIHS.

9. Chevrolet Aveo

10. Suzuki Reno/Forenza

To see the rest of the top and find out more details, please visit forbes.com