December 17, 2008
New crash tests of small cars: good rating in frontal tests
but many models need better side and rear crash protection
Frontal offset crash test: 2008 SUZUKI SX4 — 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 very well. |
Action shot taken during rebound showing the dummy's head leaning partway out the open side window |
Intrusion into the driver's space was minimal, and all leg and foot injury measures were low. |
Side impact crash test: 2008 Suzuki SX4 with standard 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. |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag. |
Side impact crash test: 2009 Toyota Matrix with standard 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. |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag. |
Side impact crash test: 2008 Ford Focus with standard side airbags — 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 airbags. |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag. |
Frontal offset crash test: 2008 Chevrolet HHR — 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. |
Smeared greasepaint indicates where the dummy's head hit the roof rail and B-pillar during rebound. Head accelerations from these hits were low. |
Forces on the lower right leg were high enough to indicate the possibility of injuries. |
Side impact crash test: 2009 Chevrolet HHR with standard side airbags — 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 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 curtain airbag. |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag. |
Side impact crash test: 2008 Hyundai Elantra with standard 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 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 airbags. |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag. |
Frontal offset crash test: 2008 Saturn Astra — 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 very well. |
Action shot taken during rebound showing the dummy's head leaning partway out the open side window |
Intrusion into the driver's space was minimal, and all leg and foot injury measures were low. |
Side impact crash test: 2008 Saturn Astra with standard 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 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 airbags. |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag. |
Frontal offset crash test: 2008 PT Cruiser — 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. |
Smeared greasepaint indicates where the dummy's head hit the roof rail during rebound. Head acceleration from this hits was low. |
Forces on the lower left leg were high enough to indicate the possibility of injury. |
Side impact crash test: 2008 PT Cruiser with standard 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 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 airbag. |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy's head was hit by the pillar behind the rear passenger door. |
Side impact crash test: 2008 Mini Cooper with standard side airbags — 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 door 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 airbags. |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag. |
