May 26, 2011
New crash tests: Small cars improve and the top performers also are fuel sippers
Selected crash test photos of Top Safety Pick winners:
31 mph side impact test representing a strike from a pickup or SUV: 2012 Ford Focus — GOOD
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Pre-crash studio shot 3/31/11 |
Action shot taken during the side impact crash test 4/7/11 |
View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment 4/7/11 |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side curtain airbag. 4/7/11 |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag. 4/7/11 |
31 mph side impact test representing a strike from a pickup or SUV: 2011 Hyundai Elantra — GOOD (award applies to models mfg. after Mar. 2011)
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Pre-crash studio shot 2/14/11 |
Action shot taken during the Institute's side impact crash test 2/24/11 |
View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment 2/24/11 |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side curtain airbag in the Institute's test. 2/24/11 |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy's head was protected by the side airbag. 2/24/11 |
31 mph side impact test representing a strike from a pickup or SUV: 2011 Lexus CT 200h — GOOD
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Pre-crash studio shot 3/10/11 |
Action shot taken during the side impact crash test 3/17/11 |
View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment 3/17/11 |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side curtain airbag. 3/17/11 |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag. 3/17/11 |
40 mph frontal offset test: 2011 Nissan Juke — GOOD
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Pre-crash studio shot 1/25/11 |
Action shot taken during the Institute's frontal offset crash test 2/10/11 |
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 (Institute test car shown). 2/10/11 |
Smeared greasepaint indicates where the dummy's head contacted the side curtain airbag and dislodged headliner during rebound in the Institute's test. 2/10/11 |
Intrusion into the driver's space was minimal in both tests, and all leg and foot injury measures were low. 2/10/11 |
31 mph side impact test representing a strike from a pickup or SUV: 2011 Nissan Juke — GOOD
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Pre-crash studio shot 1/25/11 |
Action shot taken during the side impact crash test 2/8/11 |
View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment 2/8/11 |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side curtain airbag. 2/8/11 |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag. 2/8/11 |
