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Prius Safety & Crash Test Ratings - READ ONLY

116 messages,  Last post on Aug 05, 2009 at 4:25 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Car Safety, Hybrid Cars, Hatchback, Sedan

Messages Page 1 of 12

#2 of 116 Safety Marginal by moparbad

Apr 17, 2006 (6:12 am)

IIHS crash tested the Prius and obtained marginal results.
Very surprising.
 
The report dinged the Toyota Prius, awarding it a marginal safety rating in rear-crash tests.

#3 of 116 IIHS testing - finally. by kdhspyder

Apr 17, 2006 (6:30 am)

No it's not at all. The vehicle is rated Good/Good/Marginal which is a step below their own 'Gold Standard' simply due to the new rear crash test criteria put in place last year. BTW no older generation vehicle of any maker ( except Subaru ) passed this new test with a 'Good' rating. NONE. But you knew that already and where just taking pot shots right.
 
This confirms what has been said all along that the performance will replicate the European testing results ( with all the airbags ).
 
The 'Marginal' rear collision result is a 'generational' item. This new IIHS test was stipulated last year after all the preceeding models, Accord, Camry, Taurus, Coroola, Civic, Prius et. al. were designed back in 1999-2000. The new generations of these models, like the new Civic, are designed to meet or exceed this new test. But again you knew that as well.
 
The new Camry, Altima, Corolla & Accord ( next year ) etc, etc all should get Good/Good/Good ratings. What will be surprising is if any vehicle like the new Fusion/Milan fails any of the three tests. With all the technology and testing criteria known now no new model should get anything less than Good/Good/Good.

#4 of 116 Re: IIHS testing - finally. [kdhspyder] by gagrice

Apr 17, 2006 (7:26 am)

Replying to: kdhspyder (Apr 17, 2006 6:30 am)
This confirms what has been said all along that the performance will replicate the European testing results ( with all the airbags.
 
Why does Toyota continue to be Cheap Charlie's? I would think they would include the side airbags as standard like the competition.
 
If the EU testing for crash worthiness is good enough? Why isn't the Euro4 emissions acceptable?
 
Did Toyota/Lexus get caught off guard on the rear crash tests? Their whole lineup got an overall poor to marginal rating. As did many automakers.
 
Funny you should mention the Civic passing the rear crash test. The test looks to be designed to test the seat & headrest. The headrest being uncomfortable is one of the big complaints with the 2006 Civic. So much that some drivers take them out. Sorry to go off topic.

#5 of 116 Re: IIHS testing - finally. [gagrice] by kdhspyder

Apr 17, 2006 (8:02 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Apr 17, 2006 7:26 am)
Why does Toyota continue to be Cheap Charlie's? I would think they would include the side airbags as standard like the competition.
  
If the EU testing for crash worthiness is good enough? Why isn't the Euro4 emissions acceptable?
  
Did Toyota/Lexus get caught off guard on the rear crash tests? Their whole lineup got an overall poor to marginal rating. As did many automakers
 
It's a 'generational design' situation. The prior generations of all vehicles ( those conceived in the late 90's ) had SAC Airbags as options-only in nearly all cases. All automakers normally keep the same standard equipment throughout a whole generation of a vehicle. Accords, Camry's, Altima's, Fusions, Corolla's, Civics, Avalons, Prius', etc all designed in the late 90's were built this way.
 
All the new models beginning in 2005 and later will likely have SAC Airbags as standard equipment.
 
All the automakers I'm sure were notified by the IIHS that it was going to add a new testing criteria to it's program. It's a courtesy offered in business all the time. I'm also sure that the automakers knew that their existing models would do poorly in comparison when the IIHS published it's new ratings. In fact the two top performers one year, the Camry and the Accord with SAC Airbags, dropped to the bottom of the pack with all others when the Active head restraint criteria was added. The Ford 500 happened to be propitiously timed in that it was the first 'new' vehicle to be able to take into account the new testing criteria.... so it's now at the top.
 
Subaru and Volvo and Saab have always been at the forefront and it may be that the IIHS used these 3 manufacturers additional safety equipment ( active head restraints ) as a model for it's new testing. Only supposition here.
 
One of the IIHS's primary purposes is to continue to push the envelope in the matter of vehicle safety. Notice on their last press release they stated that they've achieved what they wanted in terms of frontal crash results so from now forward they have 'declared victory' and it's time to move on to another criteria.... minimizing whiplash injuries and probably VSC.

#6 of 116 Re: IIHS testing - finally. [kdhspyder] by moparbad

Apr 17, 2006 (8:23 am)

Replying to: kdhspyder (Apr 17, 2006 6:30 am)
NONE. But you knew that already and where just taking pot shots right.
 
No, I did not know that.
 
But again you knew that as well.
 
Nope, you are making assumptions that are completely incorrect.
 
And, why do you use cite EURO NCAP testing results for Prius. They are not relevant.
 
The Subaru Impreza is smaller and older than the Prius and it received a good.

#7 of 116 Re: IIHS testing - finally. [moparbad] by kdhspyder

Apr 17, 2006 (8:50 am)

Replying to: moparbad (Apr 17, 2006 8:23 am)
See my preceeding post re: the Subies.
 
The question had been posed many times what were the crashtest results for the Prius and the answer was that they were likely to be the same as the EURO / NCAP's since the tests are the same.
 
IIHS spokesperson on MS/NBS this hour..
The Prius did very well on both frontal and side impact tests and 'could improve' it's rear collision test performance, It remains the third ranked vehicle in it's class according to him.

#8 of 116 Concern about poor reports in rain/wind/snow by jen611

Nov 12, 2006 (7:20 pm)

Does anybody have any feedback on driving in bad weather conditions? I currently drive a Hyundai Elantra, and my husband drives a Dodge Neon, so I am expacting that by comparison, it can't be much worse. Would upgrading to better tires improve the car's handling of these conditions?
 
Thank you,
Jennifer

#9 of 116 Button for Parking Gear by tnana

Nov 13, 2006 (9:13 pm)

I feel it's little unsafe to have the button for Parking exposed near other controls. It could get pressed accidently while driving and trying to turn on wipers or openeing vent etc.
 
The button needs a cover.

#10 of 116 Re: Button for Parking Gear [tnana] by pathstar1

Nov 14, 2006 (10:19 am)

Replying to: tnana (Nov 13, 2006 9:13 pm)
Well, first off it's not a "parking button". It's an on/off switch. If you press it when driving it will shut off the car but will not engage the parking "pawl" until the vehicle stops. If you accidentally press it just press it again to turn the car back on. You can select "park" using the shift lever, but again, it will not engage the "parking pawl" until the vehicle stops moving. Several owners have tried it to see what happens, and that's why we know.
 
This is no different than any other car on the road. You can put any automatic into "park" while moving. Most will not engage the pawl until stopped. Some older vehicles will try and can lock up the wheels or damage the pawl once they slow enough for it to drop in.
You can also turn off the keyswitch on any vehicle when moving. Not a good idea as it can lock the steering.

Messages Page 1 of 12

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