[Charles Martel]

The Ford Crown Vic is one of the safest rated vehicles while the Mercury Grand Marquis is among the worst rated.

I suspect the age demographics of the respective drivers' samples are somehow related to this discrepancy. Grand Marquis drivers tend to be older, which probably factors into crash survival rates.

[jjotto]

Yes.

And I think a lot of Crown Vics are used somewhat commercially with experienced drivers used to any quirks.