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Hybrid Vehicles Toyota Highlander Hybrid Highlander Hybrid Safety & Crash Test Results
10 messages, Last post on Oct 20, 2005 at 9:21 AM
You are in the Toyota Highlander Hybrid Forum. Your Host is pf_flyer
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One thing that is rarely mentioned is that the HH is much safer than a Prius.If you are in an accident the chances are it will be a car-vehicle that is much heavier than a Prius,and has a much higher bumper-frame.The Prius does OK in crash tests(I assume),but do you really think you would survive a 40 mpg side impact from a 5000 lb pickup(that just ran a Redlight) that will be hitting about 8" laterally from the center of your chest?In the HH you will be hit just above the seat surface and you have a bit more lateral intrusion space(.The light weight of the Prius means it will be accelerated laterally very fast-leaving your head and neck behind to crash into the window and B-Pillar(no side airbag).The HH is much heavier,so the accel will be a lot less.The intrusion can"get you" even with side airbags. I'm sure folks are considering that when it comes to Prius-HH?Charlie
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Replying to: phoebeisis (Aug 17, 2005 11:31 am) A car that handles well, can brake and acceleratae quickly can get out of trouble better. In my opinion, the HH handling characteristics and performance, for a SUV, meet these requirements. While slowing down and following the 3-second rule remains the safest practice for SUV like HH, it may not work all the time. On occassion, a quick lane change and a quick burst of speed, within safety limits, is needed to get out of potential trouble. The HH offers that ability. On our local rural 1-lane roads, large pick-up's enjoy tailgating just to push cars along. You know they are doing this for fun when they tailgate you to a stop sign then do a quick look-and-go through the stop just to zip up to your tail again filling your entire rear view mirror. This is the normal behavior even when we are driving 50-MPH in a 45-MPH zone. 50-MPH is already too fast for these 1-lane farming roads. My wife, a very conservative safe driver, decided one day to "run away" from these fools. She stopped at the stop sign and then just punched it and the HH got up to 45 MPH (posted limit) in less than 1 block and she cruised at that speed the rest of the way. The tailgating truck did a look-and-go through the stop and accelerated as usual but we were already a long safe distance away. On that specific day, that specific truck decided to not tailgate us after the stop sign. We have been doing that ever since whenever a truck decides to tailgate and it has worked each time. Now they just stay back and "enjoy" the 45-MPH ride down a wide open 1-lane farming road. |
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No question,good acceleration makes a vehicle safer.Single lane curvy country roads are pretty,but they are high risk roads with unlimited access and usually with no shoulder,or worse a drop off shoulder.Passing on roads like this can be dangerous.Extra acceleration means less risk. Yeah,idiots tailgate here also.I wish I had rear facing machine guns sometimes. Charlie |
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| I am considering the HH, but am concerned about the electrical shock hazards of the battery after an accident. Wouldn't rescue personnel have to be trained for the potential shock ? | |
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Replying to: tim22 (Oct 19, 2005 4:52 pm) Also, the electrical system is disabled in a crash. I'm not sure if it takes air bag deployment to set off or if it has its own sensor. Rescue personnel have the same or more worries with air bags, side air bags, face curtains, and seat retractors. |
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Replying to: tim22 (Oct 19, 2005 4:52 pm)
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Replying to: sunbyrne (Oct 19, 2005 8:43 pm) |
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Replying to: sunbyrne (Oct 19, 2005 8:43 pm)
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Replying to: wwest (Oct 20, 2005 8:35 am) I think the fear of the hybrid system is mostly something the media came up with to scare the masses. Toyota would not be selling hybrids unless they were safe. |
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