Carmakers are making improvements in frontal and side impact crash test performance, says the National Institute for Highway Safety. The Dodge
Caliber, Kia Optima, Toyota Camry, Lincoln Zephyr, Toyota Rav 4 and Hyundai Tucson were all smashed to pieces to conduct front, side and rear evaluations for all models, except the Kia which is making changes and is scheduled to be tested later in the year.
All vehicles tested have standard side airbags with the exception of the Toyota RAV4, which plans to make them standard equipment for the 2007 model year.
"Results show that automakers are moving quickly to improve side impact protection," says Institute president Adrian Lund. He also mentions the norm for vehicles to do well in frontal crash performance but emphasizes the need for improvements in rear crash performance to prevent debilitating neck injuries- the most common in motor vehicle crashes.
The Toyota Camry fared exceptionally well in side impact testing and is one of only six machines ever given a perfect side-impact score by the institute. The Dodge Caliber shows improvements over the poorly rated Neon it replaces, and the Hyundai Tucson is also moving forward. The Lincoln Zephyr only received an acceptable rating for frontal impact and is relatively un-competitive in its price range. Ford has already requested testing later again this year once changes are made.
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| Dodge Caliber 2007 (Photo: IIHS) |
All vehicles tested have standard side airbags with the exception of the Toyota RAV4, which plans to make them standard equipment for the 2007 model year.
"Results show that automakers are moving quickly to improve side impact protection," says Institute president Adrian Lund. He also mentions the norm for vehicles to do well in frontal crash performance but emphasizes the need for improvements in rear crash performance to prevent debilitating neck injuries- the most common in motor vehicle crashes.
The Toyota Camry fared exceptionally well in side impact testing and is one of only six machines ever given a perfect side-impact score by the institute. The Dodge Caliber shows improvements over the poorly rated Neon it replaces, and the Hyundai Tucson is also moving forward. The Lincoln Zephyr only received an acceptable rating for frontal impact and is relatively un-competitive in its price range. Ford has already requested testing later again this year once changes are made.