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August 23, 2006
REAR CRASH PROTECTION LAGGING, IIHS CRASH TESTS SHOW
New IIHS crash test results reflect the improvements manufacturers continue to make in protecting people in front and side crashes, the insurance group says, "but protection in rear crashes lags." IIHS recently evaluated four cars and two small SUVs, updating results for vehicle groups the Institute tested earlier: the 2007 Dodge Caliber (small car); 2006 Kia Optima and 2007 Toyota Camry (midsize moderately priced cars); 2006 Lincoln Zephyr (midsize luxury car); and 2006 Hyundai Tucson and 2006 Toyota RAV4 (small SUVs). "Results show that automakers are moving quickly to improve side impact protection," says Institute president Adrian Lund. "They're responding to our crash test by making side airbags with head protection standard in more models." But none of the six vehicles earned the Institute's Top Safety Pick award. The two vehicles that earned top ratings in front and side tests, the Camry and RAV4, were rated too low (marginal) for protection in rear impacts.Posted by MVHAP at August 23, 2006 09:49 PM