A new study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reveals that many mid-sized SUV are lagging behind in side impact safety. The IIHS recently put several SUV through a series of front, side and rear crash tests, with only two receiving the Institutes’s highest side impact rating.
General Motor’s SUVs performed the worst, with the Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Isuzu Ascender and Saab 9-7X all receiving â€Acceptable†front crash ratings, “Marginal” side impact ratings and the lowest rating of “Poor” for rear whiplash crashes.
Chrysler ’s Jeep Grand Cherokee performed better with ratings of “Good” in both front and rear impact tests, while it received a “Marginal” in side impact.
The Toyota 4Runner did well in front and side impact test, earing ratings of “Good” in both, but only managed a “Poor” rating in the rear impact test.
The Nissan Pathfinder was one of the top performers, receiving “Good” ratings in front and side impacts and “Marginal” in the rear whiplash crash test.
Ford ’s Explorer earned a “Good” front impact rating, â€Acceptable†in the side impact test and “Poor” in the rear whiplash test.
