According to the latest Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports, the Jeep Wrangler, Suzuki XL7, Mazda CX-7 and Mazda CX-9 all got the second-lowest rating of “marginal” on the rear test. Yes, even Motor Trend’s SUV of the year winner the Mazda CX-9 didn’t get a “top safety pick” rating from the IIHS. But the 2009 Nissan Murano rated the best out 40 vehicles tested!




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Motors Corp.’s H3 was the only vehicle in the group that didn’t get the top rating for frontal crash protection. Instead, it got the second-highest rating of “acceptable” because the test indicated high likelihood of injury to the driver’s right leg. The H3 also got an “acceptable” rating in the side crash test and the worst rating of “poor” in the rear crash test.

“The Hummer H3 meets or exceeds all federal crash safety standards. The Insurance Institute tests represent one measurement of crash performance,” GM spokesman Alan Adler said in a statement.

The institute said it downgraded side crash results for the H3, Kia Motors Corp.’s Kia Sorento and Chrysler LLC’s Jeep Liberty/Dodge Nitro — which are built on the same platform — because they lacked air bags that protected the torso. All three had curtain air bags that protected the head, but the tests indicated a likelihood of injuries to the driver’s rib cage.

The Jeep Wrangler also got a low rating for side protection because its side air bags are optional and the institute tests vehicles without optional equipment. The Wrangler was the only vehicle in the group without standard side air bags.

In addition to the H3, the worst performers in the rear crash test were the Mitsubishi Endeavor and the Jeep Liberty/Dodge Nitro. The Jeep Wrangler, Suzuki XL7, Mazda CX-7 and Mazda CX-9 all got the second-lowest rating of “marginal” on the rear test.




Source: msnbc