| Six Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) have | | | | rated good in both vehicles, but the lack of |
| recently undergone frontal and side crash | | | | chest protection and weak side structures |
| tests conducted by the Insurance Institute | | | | that allowed a lot of intrusion contributed |
| for Highway Safety. The test showed that | | | | to high forces on the driver dummies' chests |
| there was an improvement frontal crash | | | | and abdomens." |
| protection but also discovered that there are | | | | |
| also differences on how those SUVs protect | | | | The functionality of the Pathfinder and the |
| their passengers from side crashes. The Jeep | | | | Xterra's side structures are doing good to |
| Grand Cherokee and the Chevrolet Trailblazer | | | | protect the passengers from intrusions inside |
| are the worst performers in the test. The | | | | the compartment. The side airbags which are |
| other SUVs involved in the test which gained | | | | standard features of the 4Runner and are |
| good marks are the Nissan Xterra and | | | | optional packages for the Pathfinder and the |
| Pathfinder, Toyota 4Runner and the Ford | | | | Xterra serves well for head protection. The |
| Explorer. | | | | Ford Explorer has standard trunk and head |
| | | | curtain airbags. The Explorer provides good |
| In the IIHS' 40 mph frontal crash test, five | | | | head protection but it does not properly |
| of the SUVs gained a good rating except the | | | | protect its passengers inside the compartment |
| Chevrolet Trailblazer which gained an | | | | from intrusions posing high risk for a |
| acceptable rate. However, for the overall | | | | passenger to break a pelvis in a real-life |
| front, side and rear crash tests, the | | | | crash with similar severity. |
| Trailblazer ranked the poorest among the six | | | | |
| SUV models. | | | | Side airbags are becoming standard features |
| | | | of most vehicle segment like cars but not |
| For the 31 mph crash test involving another | | | | SUVs. For the 2007 model years of vehicles, |
| SUV or pick up to strike the vehicle under | | | | 71 percent of passenger cars hhave built in |
| the test, the results were also varied. For | | | | side airbags protecting the head and the |
| the side impacts the two Nissan, Xterra and | | | | chest during collisions but only 48 percent |
| the Pathfinder achieved the good rating, | | | | of SUVs have the same safety feature. |
| thanks to their optional side airbags. The | | | | |
| IIHS assumed that if these airbags are not | | | | The Unites States is known to be an |
| available these Nissans will gain mediocre | | | | SUV-loving country to perfectly match its |
| remarks. The Toyota 4Runner earned good with | | | | consumers demanding for a vehicle that can |
| its standard side airbags, an acceptable | | | | tow or carry baggage and to provide room for |
| rating for the Ford Explorer for its standard | | | | a family. However, technology wise, SUVs now |
| side air bags, the Chevrolet Trailblazer and | | | | do not just meet these American demands but |
| the Jeep Grand Cherokee both achieved | | | | also provides safer drive than before with |
| marginal ratings for having their standard | | | | added features as electronic stability |
| airbags too. | | | | control which is already a standard feature |
| | | | in this vehicle segment. The IIHS is a |
| "The performance of some of these models in | | | | company that provides Americans with the |
| the side test was surprising," says Institute | | | | right choice of an SUV as it test these |
| senior vice president David Zuby. "SUVs | | | | vehicles in different safety aspects. None of |
| should have an advantage in side crashes | | | | the six SUVs under the recent test gained the |
| because the driver and passengers ride higher | | | | TOP SAFETY PICK mark due to low ratings |
| up than in cars. People often think they're | | | | earned in side and rear impact crashes. |
| safer in one of these vehicles, but many cars | | | | |
| hold up better than some of these midsize | | | | "If you're in the market for a midsize SUV, |
| SUVs in this test." | | | | there's no reason to buy one with mediocre |
| | | | crash test ratings," Zuby says. "Vehicles |
| Four of the SUVs are built with side airbags | | | | like the Ford Edge and Taurus X, Honda Pilot, |
| set to protect the trunk but the Jeep Grand | | | | Hyundai Santa Fe, and Subaru Tribeca would be |
| Cherokee and the Chevrolet Trailblazer do | | | | safer choices. They afford good protection in |
| not. However, these two SUVs have curtain | | | | front and side crashes. Plus they have good |
| style airbags to protect the heads of the | | | | seat/head restraint designs to protect you in |
| passengers in cases of frontal and rear | | | | rear-end crashes. These five models, tested |
| crashes. | | | | earlier this year, are our highest rated |
| | | | midsize SUVs, earning the TOP SAFETY PICK |
| "Nearly every car with side airbags has both | | | | award. If you're willing to spend a little |
| head and torso airbags, but the Grand | | | | more, the Acura MDX and Acura RDX, Lincoln |
| Cherokee and TrailBlazer have head protection | | | | MKX, Mercedes M class, and Volvo XC90 also |
| only," Zuby points out. "Head protection is | | | | are TOP SAFETY PICK choices. |