ggbaird
Posts : 1925
Join date : 2013-02-27
 | | Subject: IIHS Crash Test April 8th 2014, 10:13 am | |
| GM Twin SUV's Top Mid-size Crash Test - Quote :
- Washington — The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said the Chevrolet Equinox and its twin GMC Terrain were the only midsize SUVS out of nine tested to win a “good rating” in its new tougher front crash-test rating.
The Equinox and the Terrain qualify for the Institute’s highest award — the Top Safety Pick+ — in the new small-overlap front crash test. The Toyota Highlander, which received an acceptable small-overlap rating in December, also qualifies. Three other midsize SUVs tested rated marginal and three were poor, IIHS said.
“SUVs have gotten much safer over the past few generations, but some are better than others at providing comprehensive front-crash protection,” says David Zuby, IIHS executive vice president and chief research officer. “When it comes to midsize SUVs, General Motors is showing the way forward. The Equinox and Terrain score well in all components of the small overlap test — structure, restraints and kinematics, and injury measures for four body regions.”
The Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota 4Runner and Ford Explorer all were rated “marginal” overall, while the Kia Sorento, Mazda CX-9 and Honda Pilot were rated “poor.”
The small overlap test seeks to replicate what happens when the front corner of a vehicle collides with another vehicle or an object like a tree or utility pole. In the test, 25 percent of a vehicle’s front end on the driver’s side strikes a rigid barrier at 40 mph.
The test is tougher than the head-on crashes conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the longstanding IIHS moderate overlap test. In a small overlap test, the main structures of the vehicle’s front-end crush zone are bypassed, making it difficult for the vehicle to manage crash energy. The occupant compartment can collapse as a result.
The Equinox and Terrain met the test after changes on 2014 models to their front structure and door-hinge pillars. In the test, driver space was well-maintained, and the dummy’s movement was well-controlled.
Winning top marks “speaks to GM’s continued focus on improving our vehicles and keeping our customers safe.” said Gay Kent, general director of GM vehicle safety and crashworthiness. “
The Honda Pilot was the worst performer, IIHS said. The driver’s space was seriously compromised by intruding structure. The dummy’s head barely contacted the front air bag before sliding off the left side.
In a statement, Honda noted it has the most Top Safety Picks. “Every new generation of the Honda Pilot has helped lead the light truck segment with a wide range of standard safety and driver-assistive technologies and we are committed that it will continue to do so in the future,” Honda said.
In addition to the Pilot, four other midsize SUVs received a poor rating for structure. In the Ford Explorer, the door hinge pillar was nearly severed from the door sill. The Mazda CX-9 saw its hinge pillar pushed in 17 inches, bringing the left front wheel even with the dummy’s knee. “The Mazda CX-9 was designed before the IIHS new stringent, small overlap frontal crash was incorporated into their test regime,” Mazda said.
In the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the dummy’s head for the most part stayed on the air bag, but too much give in the safety belt allowed the head to move toward the intruding A-pillar.
“The 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee meets or exceeds all government-mandated safety requirements and continues to offer the highest level of protection in four key areas of crash-worthiness, as identified by the IIHS — moderate-overlap, side-impact, roof-strength and head restraints/seating,” Chrysler said. Detroit News | |
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