Midsize SUV Crash Tests: Most Score Poorly in Small Overlap

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has released midsize SUV crash test ratings. 

On the good side of things, the 2015 Nissan Murano has been rated a Top Safety Pick Plus, while the Ford Flex managed a Top Safety Pick rating.

The Jeep Wrangler four-door scored a good rating in five out of seven categories including the small overlap test, though it was not named a Top Safety Pick due to poor performance in side and rear crashes along with the lack of a fixed roof.

SEE ALSO: Small Overlap Test Switches Sides for Certain Cars

On the other end of the spectrum, the Hyundai Santa Fe, Jeep Cherokee and Dodge Durango all scored a marginal rating in the small overlap test and at least one poor rating in the other categories. At the bottom of the bunch is the Dodge Journey, which was rated poor in the small overlap test.

The small overlap test consists of crashing a vehicle with 25 percent of its front end overlapping a rigid barrier while moving at 40 mph.

“This test presented a major challenge for manufacturers when it was introduced three years ago, and many have adapted quickly,” says IIHS Chief Research Officer David Zuby. “Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep have had some successes with redesigned models, but they haven’t done much in the way of interim improvements. As a result, they still have many models that rate poor or marginal.”

In the top rated Murano, the IIHS measured a maximum intrusion of 5 inches at the lower door pillar. In addition, the dummy’s movement was well controlled by the airbags. In contrast, the Dodge Journey had a full 9 inches of intrusion at the instrument panel and parking brake, which tore through the dummy’s lower left leg. The dummy’s head barely contacted the airbag in the Journey, while the side curtain airbag failed to deploy.

For more details on each individual model, see the IIHS website.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.