February 11, 2009
3 large pickups don't live up to brawny image in side tests;
none rates better than marginal for occupant protection
Side impact crash test: 2009 Dodge Ram — 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 and barrier just after the crash test |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side curtain airbag. |
Because the side curtain airbag did not fully cover the window opening, the dummy's head continued to move outward during the crash. |
Side impact crash test: 2009 Nissan Titan with 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 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. LOW RESOLUTION STILL FROM DIGITAL VIDEO |
Side impact crash test: 2009 Nissan Titan 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 doors removed, showing the damage to the occupant compartment |
Action shot taken during the side impact crash test showing the driver dummy's head leaning well outward and approaching the window sill. LOW RESOLUTION STILL FROM DIGITAL VIDEO |
Intrusion of the B-pillar and door sill into the occupant compartment is apparent in this view. |
Frontal offset crash test: 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 — 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. |
Dummy movement was well controlled. During rebound, the dummy's head hit only the head restraint, as indicated by smeared greasepaint. |
Forces on the lower left leg were high enough to indicate the possibility of injuries. |
Side impact crash test: 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with 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 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 protected by the side airbag. |
Side impact crash test: 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 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 doors removed, showing the damage to the occupant compartment |
Action shot taken during the side impact crash test showing the driver dummy's head leaning well outward and approaching the window sill. LOW RESOLUTION STILL FROM DIGITAL VIDEO |
Intrusion of the B-pillar and door sill into the occupant compartment is apparent in this view. |
