Small Overlap Crash Test: Prius Epic Fail

[II Kings 9:20]

Toyota needs to step up. The Prius and Camry results are self explanatory.

Volvo has been doing this test since the late '80s and many manufacturers were caught off guard having never heard of or thought of the small overlap crash test.

This test along with other safety tests including roof crush should be considered when evaluating a new car for purchase.

http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr122012.html

[beeknight]

Ouch... was considering a Prius V as a commute/family outing car... now having second thoughts... thanks OP!

[SuperchargedMR2]

I wouldn't be surprised that most cars don't do well in this test since they haven't tested for it before. I'm sure that you can always find a twist on a test that can show up a weakness. This will make all manufacturers take a look at how to improve their cars so only good will come from it. That being said, we've all survived driving cars over the years that were no where near as safe as cars made today. An even better solution that costs nothing is for people to put away their phones & pay attention to the road so they avoid being in an accident in the first place.

Funny how a car like the Prius V can go from a top safety pick to a terrible car because of one test.

[mikefocke]

Two ways of looking at this.

Testing to the standards shouldn't be all that car designers/builders are doing to make the cars safe. Shouldn't require the new test to design a car in the modern computer design age to design for this angle crash.

Prius is still an IIHS Safety Pick, just failed one of many tests. Passed others. Take it head on when you have an option ... you make choices in how you crash frequently depending on which side who is sitting.

[scat1]

Well that sure was an interesting video. Probably happens more often than we think. At the point of trying to avoid an accident, you ALMOST avoid, but for some reason can't get out of the way quick enough and there's the crash test video, but in real life.

[etho1416]

It is crazy that after all the recent safety recalls Toyota was not prepared to pass this new test. They knew it was coming. Honda has been designing its cars for this test recently also and has passed with flying colors. So if they can do it, and still make affordable and fuel efficient cars, than toyota should too. They even designed the new civic to pass it.

And I mean c'mon, the Dodge Avenger does better than the Camry in this test. An Avenger!

Toyota just does not care about safety at all. They just hope they keep selling cars on past goodwill.

I am dreading to see how the corolla (I drive on 09) does.

[nmehes]

Originally Posted by etho1416

Toyota just does not care about safety at all. They just hope they keep selling cars on past goodwill.

.

I guess that Lexus, Infinity, Acura, BMW, Mercedes, and Audi don't "care" about safety either as they all had marginal or poor ratings as well.

[etho1416]

Actually Acura (aka honda) did quite well in the tests. They and Volvo were the only luxury brands that did really well.

And honestly, the automakers that did poorly have shown they don't care about safety since small overlap crashes are common and very dangerous. And they knew this test was coming!

Many of the responses from the failing automakers have been "..well we did good on the old tests...". Basically they just don't want to upgrade their safety equipment, or at last put it off as long as possible.

ADAC, a German car club which does interesting car crash tests, looked into this issue a number of years ago. The video is pretty self-explanatory and shows just how easy it is for car companies to modify their cars to pass this sort of test. Yet many choose to just bury their heads in the sand.

You Tube

You Tube

[Zembonez]

Major failure for Prius and Camry. Fusion, Accord, Optima, Altima, Outback, and Passat did well.

Sounds like a pretty sh*tty engineering flop on Toyota's part.