The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

International Nameplates Earn Top Ratings in IIHS Crash Tests

Washington DC November 7, 2005; The AIADA newsletter reported that the insurance industry presented high marks to the 2006 Toyota Sienna, Nissan Quest, and Honda Odyssey during a recent examination into the ability of minivans to account for side impact crashes, reports AP.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) said these three vehicles “excelled at protecting people in crashes that typically occur at intersections when a vehicle runs a red light or stop sign.”

IIHS COO Adrian Lund further praised the Japanese automakers: "Manufacturers should follow the lead of Honda, Nissan and Toyota in making head-protecting side air bags standard in their minivans,” he said. “Important safety equipment like this shouldn’t be optional."

Another IIHS survey gave the 2006 Audi A3, 2006 Volkswagen Passat, and 2006 Subaru Legacy "double best pick" designations for very good overall performance in both front and side tests.

Mr. Lund said the structural performance of the A3 and Passat were “impressive because most vehicles we’ve tested so far have allowed way too much intrusion.”

The evaluations performed by IIHS are based on results of frontal offset crash tests at 40 mph. Each vehicle’s overall evaluation is based on measurements of intrusion into the occupant compartment, injury measures from a Hybrid III dummy in the driver seat, and analyses of slow-motion film, which assessed the ability of restraint systems to controldummy movement during the test.