(Image courtesy IIHS)
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is moving to tougher side-impact crash tests that reflect what’s happening in the real world – an increase in T-bone crashes at intersections.
IIHS President David Harkey says the new test has 80% more energy.
“The new barrier weighs 4,200 pounds; the old barrier weighed 3,300. The new test is run at 37 miles per hour; the old test was run at 31 miles per hour,” Harkey said. “And the new barrier is also designed in such a way that it reflects what we see when it comes to larger SUVs and pickup trucks on our roadways.”
Seven of 11 small cars tested earned good or acceptable ratings in the new tougher side-impact test, but four models are rated poor. All rated good in the old test.
The Mazda 3 sedan and Mazda 3 hatchback were the only two small cars to earn good ratings.
Five other vehicles are rated acceptable: The Nissan Sentra, Toyota Corolla sedan, Toyota Corolla hatchback, Honda Civic sedan and Honda Civic hatchback
The Kia Forte, Subaru Crosstrek, and the Subaru Impreza sedan and wagon are rated poor.
“We were pleasantly surprised at how well some of these smaller vehicles did in our side-crash test,” Harkey said. “All of these vehicles got a good rating in our original side tests, and so they are still very safe vehicles.”
The hope is the tougher tests will encourage automakers to build even safer vehicles.
For now, the updated test is not included in the IIHS award criteria. However, starting in 2023, a good or acceptable rating will be required for the lower-tier TOP SAFETY PICK award and a good rating will be needed for the higher-tier TOP SAFETY PICK+.
More Info: Small car performance is a mixed bag in new side crash test