Sport-Utilities Fare Poorly in Crash Tests

Despite their rugged appearance, even the best of the widely popular sport-utility vehicles failed to merit a “good” safety rating in crash tests, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said Thursday.

Of six vehicle types tested, just three earned “acceptable” ratings. One rated marginal, and the others performed poorly, the Arlington, Va.-based institute reported.

The Assn. of International Automobile Manufacturers criticized the tests, contending that the ratings “do not agree with the real-world crash and insurance claim histories” of the vehicles.

The primary test conducted by the institute involves crashing the vehicles into a barrier at 40 mph so that part of the auto hits the barrier. Engineers then evaluate damage to the vehicle and its passenger compartment.

The institute said the Toyota 4Runner performed best, but that head injury protection was marginal, resulting in an overall evaluation of only acceptable.

Also rated acceptable were the Land Rover Discovery and the Ford Explorer. The Explorer’s driver-side door opened in one test, the institute noted.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee was rated marginal. It has poor head restraints and bumpers, and test results indicated a likelihood of significant leg injury, the report said.

Poor ratings were given to the Isuzu Rodeo, Honda Passport and the Chevrolet Blazer, also sold as GMC Jimmy and Oldsmobile Bravada. They lacked sufficient head protection and sustained serious damage to the passenger compartment, the institute said.

George Parker of the auto makers group said that the test is not representative of real accidents.