U.S. Crash Tests Reveal Alarming Weaknesses in Top-Selling SUVs

Are large cars safe?
Tested it with large SUVs
Result of breaking stereotypes

Although vehicle body size and safety are not always directly proportional, it is generally accepted that larger vehicles, such as large SUVs and pickup trucks, have better safety. This is because the area to absorb shock in the event of a collision is large, and as the weight is heavy, the rigidity of the vehicle body is strengthened.

It’s unfortunate for the other vehicle, but its heavy weight causes it to break more, reducing the likelihood of injury to those riding in the large vehicle. However, a surprising twist was recently revealed. This news may come as a shock to owners who bought large SUVs, believing in their safety.

IIHS Small Overlap Test
Targets three full-size SUVs

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) revealed the crash test results of a full-size SUV popularly sold in the US on June 6. The full-size SUV is the largest segment among SUVs currently being mass-produced and is one segment higher than the Hyundai Palisade and Kia EV9, which are the largest South Korean SUVs. The test subjects were a Jeep Wagoneer, Ford Expedition, and Chevrolet Tahoe.

The Jeep Wagoneer, the newest model among the three, received the highest safety rating: Top Safety Pick (TSP). Both the driver’s seat and passenger seat small overlap tests showed that the occupant’s safety zone was maintained. Unfortunately, it was confirmed that the driver’s seat area could cave in and cause injury to the driver’s left foot and ankle.

Terrible ford expedition
The 2nd-row airbag did not work

The Ford Expedition received below-expected results. In the driver’s seat small overlap test, a problem with the steering column coming off was confirmed. The A-pillar, essential in maintaining living space, has completely lost shape. The floor area is also excessively intruded, making it impossible to guarantee the condition of the driver’s legs.

Problems also occurred with airbags, which would have increased the chances of survival. The driver’s side second-row side curtain airbag did not deploy at all. Accordingly, the safety evaluation of second-row passengers received the lowest score among the vehicle models tested. It was not functioning properly even though it was equipped with a second-row seat belt pre-tensioner, which was not present in the other two models.

Chevrolet Tahoe
High risk of lower-body injury

Likewise, the Chevrolet SUV Taho also lost face by performing poorly. Serious space intrusion was confirmed in the first row, especially the driver’s seat, and it was determined that there was a high risk of lower-body injury. In the case of the passenger seat, the risk of right foot injury was high. Second-row safety is also at a critical level. While there was a risk of chest injuries due to seat belts, there was also a high risk of head and neck injuries. The waist belt part slides into the abdomen, increasing the risk of internal injuries such as organ rupture.

The Ford Expedition and Jeep Wagoneer received excellent ratings for their pedestrian collision prevention system. It showed perfect operation both during the day and at night, and the Wagoneer’s headlamp viewing angle and anti-glare design stood out in particular. On the other hand, the Chevrolet Tahoe’s emergency braking system did not work properly at night. It was found that the headlamp did not illuminate the right side properly and caused excessive glare to the other driver.