New IIHS Crash Test Reveals Worst SUVs

by EVANDER KLUM

Six Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) have recently undergone frontal and side crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The test showed that there was an improvement frontal crash protection but also discovered that there are also differences on how those SUVs protect their passengers from side crashes. The Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Chevrolet Trailblazer are the worst performers in the test. The other SUVs involved in the test which gained good marks are the Nissan Xterra and Pathfinder, Toyota 4Runner and the Ford Explorer.

In the IIHS�� 40 mph frontal crash test, five of the SUVs gained a good rating except the Chevrolet Trailblazer which gained an acceptable rate. However, for the overall front, side and rear crash tests, the Trailblazer ranked the poorest among the six SUV models.

For the 31 mph crash test involving another SUV or pick up to strike the vehicle under the test, the results were also varied. For the side impacts the two Nissan, Xterra and the Pathfinder achieved the good rating, thanks to their optional side airbags. The IIHS assumed that if these airbags are not available these Nissans will gain mediocre remarks. The Toyota 4Runner earned good with its standard side airbags, an acceptable rating for the Ford Explorer for its standard side air bags, the Chevrolet Trailblazer and the Jeep Grand Cherokee both achieved marginal ratings for having their standard airbags too.

��The performance of some of these models in the side test was surprising,�� says Institute senior vice president David Zuby. ��SUVs should have an advantage in side crashes because the driver and passengers ride higher up than in cars. People often think they��re safer in one of these vehicles, but many cars hold up better than some of these midsize SUVs in this test.��

Four of the SUVs are built with side airbags set to protect the trunk but the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Chevrolet Trailblazer do not. However, these two SUVs have curtain style airbags to protect the heads of the passengers in cases of frontal and rear crashes.

��Nearly every car with side airbags has both head and torso airbags, but the Grand Cherokee and TrailBlazer have head protection only,�� Zuby points out. ��Head protection is rated good in both vehicles, but the lack of chest protection and weak side structures that allowed a lot of intrusion contributed to high forces on the driver dummies�� chests and abdomens.��

The functionality of the Pathfinder and the Xterra��s side structures are doing good to protect the passengers from intrusions inside the compartment. The side airbags which are standard features of the 4Runner and are optional packages for the Pathfinder and the Xterra serves well for head protection. The Ford Explorer has standard trunk and head curtain airbags. The Explorer provides good head protection but it does not properly protect its passengers inside the compartment from intrusions posing high risk for a passenger to break a pelvis in a real-life crash with similar severity.

Side airbags are becoming standard features of most vehicle segment like cars but not SUVs. For the 2007 model years of vehicles, 71 percent of passenger cars hhave built in side airbags protecting the head and the chest during collisions but only 48 percent of SUVs have the same safety feature.

The Unites States is known to be an SUV-loving country to perfectly match its consumers demanding for a vehicle that can tow or carry baggage and to provide room for a family. However, technology wise, SUVs now do not just meet these American demands but also provides safer drive than before with added features as electronic stability control which is already a standard feature in this vehicle segment. The IIHS is a company that provides Americans with the right choice of an SUV as it test these vehicles in different safety aspects. None of the six SUVs under the recent test gained the TOP SAFETY PICK mark due to low ratings earned in side and rear impact crashes.

��If you��re in the market for a midsize SUV, there��s no reason to buy one with mediocre crash test ratings,�� Zuby says. ��Vehicles like the Ford Edge and Taurus X, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Subaru Tribeca would be safer choices. They afford good protection in front and side crashes. Plus they have good seat/head restraint designs to protect you in rear-end crashes. These five models, tested earlier this year, are our highest rated midsize SUVs, earning the TOP SAFETY PICK award. If you��re willing to spend a little more, the Acura MDX and Acura RDX, Lincoln MKX, Mercedes M class, and Volvo XC90 also are TOP SAFETY PICK choices.��

In Europe, crash tests are done by the European New Car Assessment Programs (Euro NCAP) to provide their consumers with information regarding the performance of vehicles regardless the maker but significantly European made like Mercedes Benz, BMW (maker of top of the line BMW car accessories