Lumina scored very well in protecting its occupants. An offset crash test
is one that simulates a collision on the left front corner. The test is
controversial since the Federal government has never set standards for
carmakers in this area, but buyers looking for another way to assess crashworthiness
could consider these results.
In real-world numbers the Lumina does well too, with injury rates well
below average among all sedans. These rates reflect to some degree the
generally conservative drivers Lumina attracts, but they also reflect the
vehicle's good structure and crashworthiness.
Theft, too, is hardly an issue for Lumina owners. According to the insurance
industry, the Lumina has the lowest theft rate among non-luxury sedans.
All Luminas have the effective PASS-Key II anti-theft system that disables
the engine if someone tries to start the car without the correct key. All
radios above the base system include a TheftLock security feature.
Like most General Motors vehicles, the Lumina has daytime running lights
(DRL), which illuminates the headlights at a low intensity whenever the
ignition is turned on. New for '97 is a feature that corrects a common
problem with DRL: forgetting to turn the lights up to full strength when
darkness falls. An automatic sensor now turns up the headlights when it
gets dark and turns them down when it's light. Next Page