August 20, 2008
New crash test results: 4 small SUVs earn Top Safety Pick; good ratings for hybrids, but the Jeep Wrangler is poor in side test
2009 Volkswagen Tiguan frontal offset crash test — GOOD — Top Safety Pick
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Pre-crash studio shot NOT SILHOUETTED OUT AS SHOWN IN THE THUMBNAIL |
Action shot taken during the frontal offset crash test |
The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well. |
Smeared greasepaint indicates where the dummy's head hit the B-pillar and roof rail during rebound. Head acceleration from this hit was low. |
Intrusion into the driver's space was minimal, and all leg and foot injury measures were low. |
2009 Volkswagen Tiguan side impact crash test — GOOD — Top Safety Pick
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Pre-crash studio shot NOT SILHOUETTED OUT AS SHOWN IN THE THUMBNAIL |
Action shot taken during the side impact crash test |
View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side curtain airbag. |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag. |
2008 Mitsubishi Outlander side impact crash test — GOOD — Top Safety Pick
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Pre-crash studio shot NOT SILHOUETTED OUT AS SHOWN IN THE THUMBNAIL |
Action shot taken during the side impact crash test |
View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side curtain airbag. |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag. |
2009 Ford Escape frontal offset crash test — GOOD — Top Safety Pick
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Pre-crash studio shot NOT SILHOUETTED OUT AS SHOWN IN THE THUMBNAIL |
Action shot taken during the frontal offset crash test |
The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained well. |
Smeared greasepaint indicates where the dummy's head hit the B-pillar, roof rail, and head restraint during rebound. Head accelerations from these impacts were low. |
Forces on the right foot were high enough to indicate the possibility of injuries. |
2008 Nissan Rogue frontal offset crash test — GOOD — Top Safety Pick
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Pre-crash studio shot NOT SILHOUETTED OUT AS SHOWN IN THE THUMBNAIL |
Action shot taken during the frontal offset crash test |
The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained well (dummy's head obscured by deployed side curtain airbag). |
Smeared greasepaint indicates where the dummy's head contacted the side curtain airbag and dislodged headliner during rebound. |
Intrusion into the driver's space was minimal, and all leg and foot injury measures were low. |
2008 Nissan Rogue side impact crash test — GOOD — Top Safety Pick
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Pre-crash studio shot NOT SILHOUETTED OUT AS SHOWN IN THE THUMBNAIL |
Action shot taken during the side impact crash test |
View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side curtain airbag. |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag. |
2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara frontal offset crash test — GOOD
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Pre-crash studio shot NOT SILHOUETTED OUT AS SHOWN IN THE THUMBNAIL |
Action shot taken during the frontal offset crash test |
The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained well. |
The dummy's head came very close to the B-pillar during rebound but did not hit it. LOW RESOLUTION STILL FROM DIGITAL VIDEO |
Intrusion into the driver's space was minimal, and all leg and foot injury measures were low. |
2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara side impact crash test — ACCEPTABLE
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Pre-crash studio shot NOT SILHOUETTED OUT AS SHOWN IN THE THUMBNAIL |
Action shot taken during the side impact crash test |
View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side curtain airbag. |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag. |
2008 Jeep Patriot frontal offset crash test — GOOD
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Pre-crash studio shot NOT SILHOUETTED OUT AS SHOWN IN THE THUMBNAIL |
Action shot taken during the frontal offset crash test |
The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained well. |
A high head acceleration occurred when the dummy's head hit the steering wheel through the airbag. |
Intrusion into the driver's space was minimal, and all leg and foot injury measures were low. |
2008 Jeep Patriot side impact crash test with standard and optional side airbags — GOOD
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Pre-crash studio shot NOT SILHOUETTED OUT AS SHOWN IN THE THUMBNAIL |
Action shot taken during the side impact crash test |
View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side curtain airbag (side torso airbag is hidden behind the curtain airbag). |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag. |
2008 Jeep Patriot side impact crash test with standard but without optional side airbags — MARGINAL
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Pre-crash studio shot NOT SILHOUETTED OUT AS SHOWN IN THE THUMBNAIL |
Action shot taken during the side impact crash test |
View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbag and damage to the occupant compartment |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side airbags. |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag. |
2008 Chevrolet Equinox side impact crash test without optional side airbags — MARGINAL
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Pre-crash studio shot NOT SILHOUETTED OUT AS SHOWN IN THE THUMBNAIL |
Action shot taken during the side impact crash test |
View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing damage to the occupant compartment |
Smeared red greasepaint indicates where the driver dummy's head was hit by the barrier. |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy's head was hit by the rear window frame and the pillar behind the passenger door. |
2008 Jeep Wrangler 2-door side impact crash test without optional side airbags — POOR
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Pre-crash studio shot NOT SILHOUETTED OUT AS SHOWN IN THE THUMBNAIL |
Action shot taken during the side impact crash test |
View of the vehicle after the crash with door removed, showing damage to the occupant compartment |
Although the dummy's head was not hit by the barrier, shattering glass from the side window left deep gouges on the top of the head. |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy's head was hit by the diagonal steel tube supporting the convertible top. |
Rear crash protection sled
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