IIHS Side Impact Crash Test Results: Impala, Avalon Top Large Car Performers -

dindak · 06-18-2006, 10:06 PM

Nice to see Impala got top rating. Too bad about LaCrosse, GP.

http://money.cnn.com/2006/06/16/Auto...dans/index.htm

Quote:

When tested without optional side airbags installed, the Ford Five Hundred, Ford Crown Victoria and Chrysler 300 all earned ratings of "Poor" in the Institute's side impact tests.

The Ford Five Hundred earned the best possible rating of "Good" and was named a Gold Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for overall crash safety when tested with the side impact airbags installed, however. All crash test results for the Five Hundred also apply to the Mercury Montego, a nearly identical car.

Side airbags will be installed as standard equipment on the Five Hundred and Montego beginning in September, Ford has said.

Ford also said it is making design changes to better protect occupants of the Crown Victoria and has asked the Institute to test a version of the car with optional side airbags installed. Results from the Institute's tests on the Crown Victoria also apply to the nearly identical Mercury Grand Marquis.

The Chrysler 300, with its optional side impact airbags installed, earned only a "Marginal" rating, one better than "Poor," for side impact safety. All crash test results for the Chrysler 300 also apply to the Dodge Charger.

The Chevrolet Impala and Toyota Avalon both earned the Institute's top rating of "Good" for side impact safety. Both have standard head-protecting side impact airbags.

The Buick Lucerne earned a rating of "Acceptable," the second-best of four possible ratings. Results for the Lucerne also apply to the Cadillac DTS. The Hyundai Azera also earned a rating of "Acceptable."

The smaller Buick LaCrosse earned a rating of "Marginal." The Lacrosse's results also apply to the Pontiac Grand Prix.

86fleet · 06-18-2006, 10:36 PM

I see the different performances of the Impala and GP/LaCrosse as a good thing. It means GM has improved the structure of the W-body. It's much better than if it was the other way around.

56 Starchief · 06-18-2006, 10:41 PM

wasnt the GP/Lacrosse on the "new" W-Bod as well?

asim · 06-18-2006, 10:43 PM

Side airbags are really good, but it is hard to convince some people like my parents that they are worth paying the extra price.

give_it_all_ · 06-18-2006, 10:58 PM

I never got them on my car. Never really thought about it when I was getting it....

give_it_all_ · 06-18-2006, 10:59 PM

What is the Pursuit/Cobalt safety ratings??

dindak · 06-19-2006, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asim

Side airbags are really good, but it is hard to convince some people like my parents that they are worth paying the extra price.

They are standard on the Impala so there would be no extra cost. Sounds like SABs are a must for cars to get a "good" rating. That said, I thought the old Impala had a good rating also.

GM needs to get this news in all advertising ASAP!

mr_bots · 06-19-2006, 09:26 AM

I believe that side airbags (curtains and thorax) should be required on all cars. Especially curtain airbags, just go over to http://www.iihs.org and compare a car w/o and then w/ airbags and see the difference. On a lot of the cars w/o airbags the dummy's head would go through the side window and hit the barrier. On another note, interesting how the 06 Impala has an "Acceptable" rating for the frontal offset, but the 2000-2005 Impala is rated at "Good".

WishIhadatruck · 06-19-2006, 09:48 AM

There has always been a difference between the GP and Impala. I remember when buying my '01 GP it had a lower government side test rating compared to the Impala at the time and the Buick Regal was the same as the GP with or without it's side air bag (no side airbags were available for the GP). Now the same holds true with the IIHS tests. You'd think they would perform closer to the same but there must be some difference designed in.

coaster.n3rd · 06-19-2006, 09:49 AM

Not really surprising...

Mikkoo · 06-19-2006, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_bots

I believe that side airbags (curtains and thorax) should be required on all cars. Especially curtain airbags, just go over to http://www.iihs.org and compare a car w/o and then w/ airbags and see the difference. On a lot of the cars w/o airbags the dummy's head would go through the side window and hit the barrier. On another note, interesting how the 06 Impala has an "Acceptable" rating for the frontal offset, but the 2000-2005 Impala is rated at "Good".

Hopefully it won't take a government mandate before all cars have them as standard equipment.

**Ming** · 06-19-2006, 10:32 AM

Glad I'll be getting an Impala.

A poor or passable rating would keep me out of the other cars. Never used to worry about that as a single guy with delusions of immortality, but I've seen too many people in roadside crashes since then, and having people you live with and are responsible for changes your outlook on these things.

04Colorado · 06-19-2006, 10:39 AM

I tried out a Dodge Charger last fall. I asked if there was any on the lot with side airbags. I was told none of them, nor any of the 300s did. The salesman even did a check in the entire region. He found one $40,000 300 with them, that was it. Totally unacceptable.

WishIhadatruck · 06-19-2006, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 04Colorado

I tried out a Dodge Charger last fall. I asked if there was any on the lot with side airbags. I was told none of them, nor any of the 300s did. The salesman even did a check in the entire region. He found one $40,000 300 with them, that was it. Totally unacceptable.

This is why they should be standard, what good is an option if you can't find one?

1G6 · 06-19-2006, 11:14 AM

When can't find what I want, I order it. Anything worth having is worth waiting for!

06-18-2006, 10:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
86fleet 5.3 Liter LS4 V8 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Rockville, MD Drives: 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee Posts: 3,470	Re: Big cars, without side airbags, rated "Poor" for side impact I see the different performances of the Impala and GP/LaCrosse as a good thing. It means GM has improved the structure of the W-body. It's much better than if it was the other way around. __________________ 1986 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham; Without this car I could have been in to rice But then again, all those cars have "fart burners" on them. That "fart burner" ads 5-10HP to your car ;some of those small Hondas can whip a Vett off the line. (from anti-rice.com) So 115hp+10hp=430hp, at least in ricerland

06-18-2006, 10:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
56 Starchief 5.3 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NJ Drives: '56 Pontiac Starchief Hardtop '01 Ford Escape Posts: 1,475	Re: Big cars, without side airbags, rated "Poor" for side impact wasnt the GP/Lacrosse on the "new" W-Bod as well? __________________ General Motors Today-Tomorrow-Always

06-18-2006, 10:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
asim Firebird Concept (the turbine one) Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 11,271	Re: Big cars, without side airbags, rated "Poor" for side impact Side airbags are really good, but it is hard to convince some people like my parents that they are worth paying the extra price. __________________ I'll make a new sig. Later.

06-18-2006, 10:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
give_it_all_ 6.0 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Canada :) Drives: '06 G5 Posts: 1,647	Re: Big cars, without side airbags, rated "Poor" for side impact I never got them on my car. Never really thought about it when I was getting it.... __________________ 2006 Pontiac G5 Pursuit----Yellow Coupe

06-18-2006, 10:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
give_it_all_ 6.0 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Canada :) Drives: '06 G5 Posts: 1,647	Re: Big cars, without side airbags, rated "Poor" for side impact What is the Pursuit/Cobalt safety ratings?? __________________ 2006 Pontiac G5 Pursuit----Yellow Coupe

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06-19-2006, 09:26 AM	#8 (permalink)
mr_bots 3.5 Liter V6 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Land of Enchantment Drives: 2008 GMC Sierra SLE 5.3L V8 Posts: 246	Re: Big cars, without side airbags, rated "Poor" for side impact I believe that side airbags (curtains and thorax) should be required on all cars. Especially curtain airbags, just go over to http://www.iihs.org and compare a car w/o and then w/ airbags and see the difference. On a lot of the cars w/o airbags the dummy's head would go through the side window and hit the barrier. On another note, interesting how the 06 Impala has an "Acceptable" rating for the frontal offset, but the 2000-2005 Impala is rated at "Good". __________________ "It is inaccurate to say that I hate everything. I am strongly in favor of common sense, common honesty, and common decency. This makes me forever ineligible for public office." -H. L. Mencken

06-19-2006, 09:48 AM	#9 (permalink)
WishIhadatruck 5.3 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Drives: '01 Grand Prix GT '96 Roadmaster Wagon Posts: 1,406	Re: Big cars, without side airbags, rated "Poor" for side impact There has always been a difference between the GP and Impala. I remember when buying my '01 GP it had a lower government side test rating compared to the Impala at the time and the Buick Regal was the same as the GP with or without it's side air bag (no side airbags were available for the GP). Now the same holds true with the IIHS tests. You'd think they would perform closer to the same but there must be some difference designed in. __________________ 1996 Buick Roadmaster Wagon 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix

06-19-2006, 09:49 AM	#10 (permalink)
coaster.n3rd 5.3 Liter LS4 V8 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: 5,059 Miles SE of Dutch Harbor Drives: 2008 Saturn Aura XE 2.4 I-4 Posts: 3,861	Re: Big cars, without side airbags, rated "Poor" for side impact Not really surprising... __________________ 'I've seen the next Cadillac STS replacement and it looks damn good... like a ****ing Bentley.' - Unclassified GM exec. 'I had no respect for the 55 mph limit and I took great delight in breaking the limit I can assure you.' www.32hours7minutes.com

06-19-2006, 10:32 AM	#12 (permalink)
Ming GMI Staff Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: SE Texas Posts: 13,427	Re: Big cars, without side airbags, rated "Poor" for side impact Glad I'll be getting an Impala. A poor or passable rating would keep me out of the other cars. Never used to worry about that as a single guy with delusions of immortality, but I've seen too many people in roadside crashes since then, and having people you live with and are responsible for changes your outlook on these things. __________________ The Latest: Step by Step - How to Play Commodore 64 Games on a PC Last edited by Ming : 06-19-2006 at 10:34 AM.

06-19-2006, 10:39 AM	#13 (permalink)
04Colorado 3.5 Liter V6 Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 211	Re: Big cars, without side airbags, rated "Poor" for side impact I tried out a Dodge Charger last fall. I asked if there was any on the lot with side airbags. I was told none of them, nor any of the 300s did. The salesman even did a check in the entire region. He found one $40,000 300 with them, that was it. Totally unacceptable.

06-19-2006, 11:14 AM	#15 (permalink)
1G6 3.6 Liter V6 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,174	Re: Big cars, without side airbags, rated "Poor" for side impact When can't find what I want, I order it. Anything worth having is worth waiting for! __________________ 1976 Fleetwood Brougham 1979 Sedan deVille 1986 Electra Estate Wagon 2008 Lucerne

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