smart & IIHS 08 list

[JPaul]

IIHS winners of 09 top safety

Seventy-two vehicles earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's TOP SAFETY PICK award for 2009. This is more than double the number of 2008 recipients and more than 3 times the number of 2007 winners. TOP SAFETY PICK recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side, and rear crashes based on good ratings in Institute tests. Winners also have to have electronic stability control (ESC), which research shows significantly reduces crash risk.
For the first time ever, winners represent every class of vehicle the Institute tests except microcars. ... The Smart Fortwo, the only microcar in the US market, missed because of its head restraints.

Source: IIHS news release

[jediknight36]

So, what changed?

[JPaul]

Nothing.

This is posted if someone tells you that the smart failed the IIHS test, you'll know what was published recently and have an educated answer.

[Dunerunner]

Relative good company the smart is grouped with that did not have adequate head restraints.

ALSO-RANS
These 26 vehicles earn good ratings in front and side crash tests. They have ESC, standard or optional. They would be 2009 Top Safety Pick winners if their seat/head restraints also earn good ratings:
Chevrolet Malibu
Chrysler Sebring, Sebring convertible, Town & Country
Dodge Avenger, Grand Caravan
Infiniti G35, M35
Kia Amanti
Lexus ES, GS,IS
Mazda CX-7, CX-9
Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, Endeavor
Nissan Altima, Pathfinder, Quest, Xterra
Saturn AURA
Smart Fortwo
Toyota 4Runner, Camry, Prius, Sienna

[SmartCard]

the above except was a little out of context....here'e the full paragraph:

Twenty-six models fall short of earning Top Safety Pick because of inadequate head restraint designs. The Smart Fortwo, the only microcar in the US market, missed because of its head restraints. The same goes for Toyota's hybrid Prius, which performed well in the Institute's front and side crash tests but came up short for rear crash protection.

doesn't sound quite as bad, now does it?

[jwight]

Well, I'm confused, as the smart doesn't have separate head restraints. Wish they'd provided more detail on perceived problems with the smart seatback design.

[NCC1701]

Originally Posted by JPaul

Nothing.

This is posted if someone tells you that the smart failed the IIHS test, you'll know what was published recently and have an educated answer.

As a matter of fact: A guy at work today informed me he'd seen something on TV this morning... something about the smart not doing well in crash tests. I could only say that was contrary to what I'd heard and asked him where he had heard it. He had no answer for me.

[jediknight36]

Well, why is it being touted as having the highest rating then?

[Smart Enuf]

Originally Posted by JPaul

IIHS winners of 09 top safety


Source: IIHS news release

Gee, that's funny because IIHS' own website shows the smart's seat/head restraint geometry got a G (Good) rating, which is their highest rating.

Head restraints: Smart

More on head restraint geometry:

Procedures for rating seat/head restraints

[SmartCard]

Originally Posted by Smart Enuf

Gee, that's funny because IIHS' own website shows the smart's seat/head restraint geometry got a G (Good) rating, which is their highest rating.

yes, but the dynamic rating with a crash test dummy was "only" acceptable, pulling the overall rating down to acceptable.