ARLINGTON, Virginia — The 2009 Ford Escape, 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander, 2008 Nissan Rogue and 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan shone in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's latest round of crash tests released on Wednesday. But the two-door 2008 Jeep Wrangler gets the lowest rating, "poor," from the institute and is whacked for getting a "worse rating after it has been redesigned."
The Escape, Outlander, Rogue and Tiguan tested earned the institute's Top Safety Pick award.
"In the latest tests, the Tiguan's performance is a standout," said institute President Adrian Lund. "It sailed through the front and side crash tests without a single downgrade for structure or measures of injury likelihood recorded on the dummy. This is one of four models in this group that afford superior crash protection in their class."
The auto industry watchdog noted that, for the first time, every model it tested in this round comes with standard electronic stability control.
However, the two-door 2008 Jeep Wrangler was singled out for its poor performance. "A new problem was that the driver door opened during the impact," said the institute in a statement. "This didn't significantly affect the movement of the dummy during the test, but an open door in a crash could lead to partial or complete ejection of occupants.
"Most vehicles are being improved," said Lund. "We've rarely seen a vehicle go in the wrong direction and get a worse rating after it has been redesigned."
Designs that "need improvement are those in the Chevrolet Equinox, Jeep Wrangler and Suzuki Grand Vitara, all of which earned the second-lowest rating of marginal," said the Institute.
What this means to you: Some important safety information to tuck away as you consider which small SUV is at the top of your shopping list. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
The Escape, Outlander, Rogue and Tiguan tested earned the institute's Top Safety Pick award.
"In the latest tests, the Tiguan's performance is a standout," said institute President Adrian Lund. "It sailed through the front and side crash tests without a single downgrade for structure or measures of injury likelihood recorded on the dummy. This is one of four models in this group that afford superior crash protection in their class."
The auto industry watchdog noted that, for the first time, every model it tested in this round comes with standard electronic stability control.
However, the two-door 2008 Jeep Wrangler was singled out for its poor performance. "A new problem was that the driver door opened during the impact," said the institute in a statement. "This didn't significantly affect the movement of the dummy during the test, but an open door in a crash could lead to partial or complete ejection of occupants.
"Most vehicles are being improved," said Lund. "We've rarely seen a vehicle go in the wrong direction and get a worse rating after it has been redesigned."
Designs that "need improvement are those in the Chevrolet Equinox, Jeep Wrangler and Suzuki Grand Vitara, all of which earned the second-lowest rating of marginal," said the Institute.
What this means to you: Some important safety information to tuck away as you consider which small SUV is at the top of your shopping list. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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