Toyota Prius, Kia Sedona and Honda Civic emerge on top in crash tests

[Ian David]

Toyota Prius, Kia Sedona and Honda Civic emerge on top in crash tests

Posted on : Mon, 17 Apr 2006 13:04:01 GMT | Author : Emma Price
News Category : Cars

NEW YORK - The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has released the crash test results of 2006 model minivans and small cars. The Toyota Prius hybrid car emerged on top when fitted with side impact airbags. The car was found to afford optimal front and side crash protection, thus highlighting the importance of airbags in crash protection.

It is estimated that such an impact carries a greater risk of causing head injury and thus death. The Institute found that vehicles without side airbags performed poorly in the crash tests. For example even the Prius was rated as "poor" without the optional side airbags.

"The result for the Prius with its optional side curtain airbags was dramatically different," confirmed a statement issued by Institute president Adrian Lund. "This time the airbag kept the dummy's head from being struck by the barrier, and injury measures all were low. These results show the importance of head-protecting side airbags in reducing the risks for car occupants, especially when their vehicles are struck in the side by a pickup or SUV."

The Institute added that the Prius was rated "marginal" as far as the whiplash protection aspect was concerned. This came about since the vehicle's seats do not do much for protecting an occupant's neck.

More:
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/6183.html

[WatchWhatISay]

1. I had a Kia Sedona once

It has been top rated for safety for awhile, this is not new.

It was a great car and loaded full of goodies for the money. I felt it was equivalent to Honda Odessey and Toyota Sienna vans, but about 6 or 7 thousand less. I never had a single problem with it and it had a 10 yr warranty. But the big negative was gas mileage which is about 15 at best because its so heavy. About 4500 lbs. as I remember. And thats the reason its so safe. Its built like a tank.

Lousy resale though. I owned it for about 21 months and put about 20,000 miles on it, and lost about 1/3 what I paid for it.

[mod mom]

2. As a new Prius owner with 2 young children, I am glad to hear I am safe,

(I have the side curtain airbags) as well as getting 50.4 mpg (my car is 6 days old-if anyone has driving tips to up my mileage, I'd love to hear it!)

[TommyO]

3. 50.4 is actually very good

One of my co-workers has a Prius and I carpool with him from time-to-time, he gets around 46-47mpg and he's (to put it mildly) a leadfoot.

[MelissaB]

4. Have you checked this site?

http://www.priusonline.com/index.php

I have a Prius on the way and am so excited.