More than 200 vehicles are shown at ConsumerReports.org/crashtest undergoing crash test evaluation by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). These free videos bring crash test ratings to life, showing the vehicle and occupant damage in detail.

A valuable tool for car owners and shoppers, the all-in-one crash test player allows viewers to select a make, model, and year range to see how a vehicle performs. This can provide valuable insight into a current model, as well as help narrow down choices for a new model.

In watching a few videos, it becomes clear that:

• Even with the best vehicles, an accident is a brutal event.
• There are good and bad performing models in every car category.
• Side and curtain air bags can make a big difference, but results vary.
• Choosing a poor performing model creates unnecessary risk for you and your family.
• It is hard to make assumptions about a vehicle or class without watching the tests. Even premium models, for example, can return Marginal performance.

See how your model fares in the IIHS tests.

Learn more about how tests are performed in "Crash test 101."

For complete safety ratings, including IIHS test results, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash test result, and Consumer Reports dynamic test data and ratings, visit the Model Overview pages, searched by pull-down menu on any Cars index page, or from the A-Z index.

--Jeff Bartlett