In August 2012, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) invented the “small overlap front test.” The agency tests new cars by crashing them into a rounded barrier at 40 mph to test a car’s structural integrity.
It simulates items cars commonly crash into, like trees or utility poles as opposed to a wall. Forces concentrate on the vehicle’s main structure, which is seriously demanding at 40 mph against a static object. A weak structure will “intrude” on the survival zone of drivers or passengers, so a low score means a higher chance of dying in a frontal crash.
“The numbers confirm that strong performance in the Institute’s small overlap front crash test translates into big reductions in fatality risk,” Eric Teo, the director of statistical services for the agency, wrote in a published study.
The study revealed a lot of vulnerabilities in new cars, and many automakers got to work to improve their products’ integrity.
However, 13 cars haven’t shown improvement like other manufacturers.
Which cars are the biggest concerns for the IIHS?
The cars that scored poorly on the small overlap test are as shown:
- 2023 Ford Expedition
- 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander
- 2015 Dodge Durango
- 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage
- 2024 Honda Prologue
- 2024 Acura ZDX
- 2016 Ford Mustang
- 2023 Chevy Tahoe
- 2019 Chevy Silverado
- 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
- 2019 Honda Ridgeline
- 2024 Volkswagen Taos
- 2024 Nissan Titan
The Ford Expedition performed the second worst, as both A-pillars failed. The failure meant the engine and other components intruded into the cabin by almost 20 inches, making it incredibly dangerous for occupants. At 40 mph the results were incredibly concerning.
The crash test footage showed the dummy’s face sliding off of the airbag, increasing the risk of injury to the head.
The Toyota Grand Highlander was especially shocking, as structural and engine material pushed into the cabin by almost 12 inches, which was a lot more than any other new Toyota.
The Tahoe’s results were interesting because the passenger’s side was the only side that didn’t pass. The driver’s side yielded much better results. The Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX had excellent scores for structural integrity, but the passenger dummy’s head completely missed the airbags. Instead, its head slipped between the passenger airbag and side curtain airbags.
Viewers were both shocked and not surprised
Most people noted that the Cybertruck, despite being on American roads since 2022, has not been tested by the IIHS or the NHTSA. Especially since both Rivian EV trucks have been tested and scored positively.
A viewer claiming to be a retired firefighter said his experience with Ford Expeditions in a crash was vast.
“Wow, that Expedition. My specialty was auto extrication when I was a firefighter and those cars would keep us busy,” they wrote.
Another suggested a speed cap on new cars.
“My thing is let cars have a top speed of 35 mph! And there you go: less deaths, less injuries.”
Many noticed that a majority of the cars that scored poorly were large SUVs and trucks.
“People probably think the bigger the car, they safer they are,” they wrote. “It seems like mostly SUVs and trucks on this list.”
