Toyota FJ Cruiser, Ford Freestyle Earn Top Rating In Side Crash Tests

2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser

Washington DC September 14, 2006; The AIADA newsletter reported that the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently tested four 2007 model vehicles with side airbags: the Toyota FJ Cruiser, Ford Freestyle SUVs, Ford Fusion sedan, and Ford Crown Victoria family car.

The Toyota FJ Cruiser and Ford Freestyle both earned the Institute's top rating of "good" for protection in side crashes.

The Ford Fusion was rated "acceptable," and the Ford Crown Victoria was rated "marginal." According to a release by the IIHS, performance in all categories (dummy injury measures, head protection, and structure) for the Toyota FJ Cruiser was "good" across the board.

Each vehicle's overall side evaluation is based on performance in a crash test in which the side of the vehicle is struck by a barrier moving at 31 mph. The barrier represents the front end of a pickup or SUV.