In a significant update to its crash test protocols, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has introduced an enhanced moderate overlap front crash test, now including a rear-seat dummy. Among midsize luxury SUVs, the Lincoln Aviator, Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, and Volvo XC60 emerge as safety champions, earning good ratings, while others such as the Acura MDX, BMW X3, Audi Q5, Lexus RX, and Cadillac XT6 face varying degrees of assessment.
In the updated test, a second dummy is positioned in the second row behind the driver. The driver dummy is the size of an average adult man. The rear dummy is the size of a small woman or 12-year-old child. IIHS researchers also developed new metrics that focus on the injuries most frequently seen in back seat passengers.
For a vehicle to earn a good rating, there can’t be an excessive risk of injury to the head, neck, chest or thigh, as recorded by the second-row dummy. The dummy should remain correctly positioned during the crash without “submarining,” or sliding forward beneath the lap belt, which increases the risk of abdominal injuries. The head should also remain a safe distance from the front seatback and the rest of the vehicle interior, and the shoulder belt should remain on the shoulder, where it is most effective. A pressure sensor on the rear dummy’s torso is used to check the shoulder belt position during the crash.
1.Mercedes-Benz GLE: The spotlight then turns to the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, underscoring its position as a paradigm of safety in the midsize luxury SUV segment. With an array of safety technologies and meticulous attention to detail, the GLE-Class proves its and providing top-notch protection for rear-seat occupants.
2. Volvo XC60: The Volvo XC60 takes center stage as the third contender in this trio of safety excellence. From collision avoidance systems to structural reinforcements, the XC60 stands as a testament to Volvo's unwavering focus on passenger safety.
3. BMW X5: An in-depth look at the X5's airbag systems reveals a comprehensive approach to occupant protection.
The Enhanced Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Rationale and Impact: The article initiates with an explanation of IIHS's decision to augment its crash test methodology, underscoring the specific focus on rear-seat safety.
Acceptable Ratings: Acura MDX and BMW X3: While exploring the results, attention is given to vehicles with acceptable ratings, namely the Acura MDX and BMW X3.
Marginal and Poor Performers: Audi Q5, Lexus RX, and Cadillac XT6: The narrative takes a critical look at vehicles receiving marginal and poor ratings—specifically, the Audi Q5, Lexus RX, and Cadillac XT6.
? It elucidates on the distinct characteristics of both dummies—the driver dummy representing an average adult man and the rear dummy mimicking the size of a small woman or a 12-year-old child. Readers are introduced to the new metrics designed to focus on injuries most commonly observed in back seat passengers.
Evaluation Criteria for a Good Rating: Head, Neck, Chest, and Thigh Safety
An in-depth exploration of the evaluation criteria for a good rating follows, emphasizing that a vehicle must not pose an excessive risk of injury to the head, neck, chest, or thigh of the second-row dummy. The use of a pressure sensor on the rear dummy's torso to assess the shoulder belt position adds an additional layer of scrutiny.
Performance Insights: A Three-Tiered Outcome
A detailed breakdown of the performance insights gleaned from the test results is presented, categorizing the SUVs into three tiers—those providing excellent protection in the front seat, those extending solid protection to second-row occupants, and the nuanced observations related to each of the eight tested vehicles. Specific attention is given to notable instances, such as the Aviator's rear dummy's head proximity and the GLE-Class indicating a slightly elevated risk of head or neck injuries.
For the two acceptable-rated vehicles, the injury measurements were within acceptable limits across the board, but the motion of the rear dummy during the crash was cause for concern. In the Acura MDX, the rear dummy submarined beneath the lap belt, increasing the chances of abdominal injuries. In both the MDX and the BMW X3, the rear passenger dummy’s head also came close to the front seatback, which raises the risk of head injuries.
Submarining was also a problem for the two marginal-rated SUVs. In addition, measurements taken from the rear dummies in these vehicles indicated a slightly elevated risk of head or neck injuries in the Audi Q5 and a more substantial risk of chest injuries in the Lexus RX.