Good NHTSA and Poor IIHS Kia Spectra Ratings Raises Questions about Crash Test Methods

The IIHS rating is completely acceptable on the grounds that the tests it does compared to those the U.S. Government conducts are

Kia announced it would meet with the IIHS to review the independent organization's results. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

very different. Although both hit barriers at the same speed, the NHTSA's tests are conducted into a non-deformable flat-faced barrier. The IIHS test is essentially the same as the EuroNCAP test, which runs cars into an offset barrier to the driver's side to signify a more real-to-life crash simulation, putting tremendous pressure on the driver's side front pillar, side pillar and frontal roofline. It also puts extreme pressures on the car's steering column, firewall and substructures, particularly around the footwell of the driver's side where intrusions and ruptures of the occupant's cell are likely to occur.

The flat-faced barrier test which the NHTSA has used for decades is considered by experts to be a weak method in measuring vehicle safety, as very few collisions happen completely head on where the impact can be spread across the entire front of the car. The only productive use for this test is to show how the vehicle's active safety systems, such as belts,

The NHTSA awarded the Spectra a 4 out of 5 rating, so how did the IIHS come to its poor frontal crash rating? (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

and active head restraints and airbags can react. With such an evenly spread force, the vehicle's structure does not get fully tested.

Many vehicles can receive a four star rating on frontal collision in the U.S. government tests but fail the IIHS, or EuroNCAP crash test. Chevy's Venture, for instance, received 4 stars on driver and passenger impact in the US NCAP test, but a poor rating from the IIHS, and the rating was so poor by EuroNCAP that the vehicle had to be recalled from sale in Europe. In this particular case, the Venture's B-pillars and A-pillars failed completely, and as the seatbelt was attached to the B-pillar, the driver's seat was pitched completely forward into the steering wheel assembly which also failed, and plowed straight into the dummy's face.