Drivers of massive, gas-guzzling SUVs could really feel safer towering over different autos, however that is not essentially the case, based on the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS).
The IIHS on Thursday launched security rankings for 3 full-size SUVs. The Jeep Wagoneer obtained a High Security Decide award (one degree under the very best High Security Decide+), however the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition obtained blended rankings for crashworthiness, headlights, and collision-avoidance tech.
“The large mass of those massive SUVs gives some further safety in crashes with smaller autos, although that additionally means they current extra hazard to different highway customers,” IIHS President David Harkey mentioned in a press release. “The flip aspect of their massive dimension is that there’s a lot extra pressure to handle once they crash into a hard and fast impediment like a tree or bridge abutment or the barrier we use in our entrance crash checks.”
2023 and 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe crash-test impacts by the IIHS
Certainly, whereas the Wagoneer obtained the very best “Good” ranking within the IIHS’ small overlap entrance crash take a look at, the Tahoe and Expedition had been rated “Acceptable” and “Marginal,” respectively. Each the Wagoneer and Expedition had been rated “Marginal” within the up to date reasonable overlap entrance take a look at, whereas the Tahoe was rated “Poor”—the bottom potential ranking. All three SUVs obtained a “Good” ranking within the aspect crash take a look at, nevertheless.
The Wagoneer’s headlights had been rated “Acceptable” or “Good,” relying on trim degree. The Tahoe and Expedition headlights had been rated “Poor” and “Marginal,” respectively, no matter trim degree. The Tahoe additionally obtained a “Marginal” ranking for front-crash prevention tech, with the IIHS noting that its pedestrian-collision avoidance system “faltered at midnight.”
All the gasoline Tahoe lineup will get 16 or 17 mpg mixed, based on the EPA. The Ford Expedition lineup will get 17-19 mpg mixed, whereas the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer return 16-20 mpg mixed, relying on the model. Each of the latter two supply turbo six-cylinder engines whereas the GM SUVs go along with greater V-8s.
None of those fashions is out there as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid, not to mention an EV, though Basic Motors is reportedly dashing improvement of a brand new era of plug-in hybrid pickups that would open the door for a future Tahoe plug-in hybrid (the Tahoe is predicated on the underpinnings of GM’s full-size vehicles).
2024 Ford Expedition
In the meantime, earlier this week the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 earned the IIHS’ next-best High Security Decide award. That makes the record of top-rated EVs much more numerous. Even with harder necessities this 12 months, the Genesis Electrified G80, Hyundai Ioniq 6, and Tesla Mannequin Y obtained the very best High Security Decide+ award. Along with the ID.4, the Audi This fall e-tron and Q8 e-tron, Genesis Electrified GV70, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Lexus RZ, Nissan Ariya, Rivian R1T and R1S, and Subaru Solterra had been named 2024 IIHS High Security Picks.
Additional weight could be a drawback for EVs too, although. The IIHS has warned that weight is extra of a priority for EV security than fires. And a College of Nebraska-Lincoln examine printed earlier this 12 months discovered that some EVs are too heavy for U.S. guardrails.
