Safety Ratings for Popular Mid-Size SUVs

Mid-size SUVs are popular among consumers for a number of reasons. They are more spacious than smaller models, they have more storage space, they get decent gas mileage, and they have a higher seating position. Larger vehicles are also safer than much smaller cars, particularly if the vehicles are involved in a traffic accident.

However, after testing a number of SUV models for safety, not all mid-sized SUVs received the same safety rating. In fact, certain models received a poor rating, due to structural issues. Before purchasing an SUV, consumers should do their research to ensure that their vehicle is highly rated for safety.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted crash-protection awareness tests on eight different SUV models. They intentionally crashed the SUVs to see if the front seat passenger was protected by the vehicle.

The passenger-side small overlap test involves the SUV hitting an object in much the same way as a vehicle hitting a tree at 40 mph, where the passenger side front end of the SUV hits the object. IIHS hopes that the test results will urge automakers to equip vehicles with the same protections for passengers as they do for drivers.

Vehicle Safety Ratings

The IIHS Rating scale is in four-parts, from best to worst being: good, acceptable, marginal and poor.

IIHS gave the following ratings to the eight mid-sized SUVs that were involved in the passenger-side small overlap test:

• 2019 Kia Sorento – Good
• 2018 Volkswagen Atlas – Good
• 2018 GMC Acadia – Good
• 2018 Toyota Highlander – Acceptable
• 2018 Nissan Pathfinder – Acceptable
• 2018 Honda Pilot – Acceptable
• Jeep Grand Cherokee – Poor
• Ford Explorer – Poor

The Grand Cherokee received a poor rating because it had a maximum intrusion of 10 inches at the lower door hinge pillar. Further, the crash test dummy’s head hit the dashboard through the front airbag. The side curtain airbag failed to deploy, causing the door to open and the dummy to be thrown from the vehicle. If this were a real accident, the passenger would likely suffer injuries to the right leg and a possible head injury.

The Ford Explorer was given a poor safety rating because intrusion reached 15 inches at the lower door hinge and 13 inches at the upper door hinge pillar and the dashboard. The impact caused the door sill to be pushed in 6 inches towards the dummy.

The Explorer also had poor structural performance in the driver-side test. If this were a real-world accident, the passenger would have likely suffered injuries to the right hip and possible lower leg injuries. Ford plans to redesign the Explorer so that both sides have improved small overlap protection.

Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Protect the Rights of SUV Accident Victims

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident involving a mid-sized SUV with a poor safety rating, it is in your best interest to contact the Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton as soon as possible. We will thoroughly investigate your case and determine who is responsible for the accident. If your safety has been compromised in any way, we will take every step necessary to secure the maximum financial compensation you deserve for your injuries. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent car accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.