Safety Tests Show That Some Large Cars Are Safer Than Others

Many drivers feel safer in a large vehicle than in a smaller one. However, not all large cars are created equal.

In recent crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), only three large cars received the organization’s coveted “Top Safety Pick Plus” classification. The three vehicles that did this were the Toyota Avalon, Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan and Lincoln Continental.

Surprising to some was the fact that the Tesla Model S failed to make the cut. Tesla, which is still new in the luxury car field, has touted its Model S as the safest car ever made. The automaker’s website describes it as “designed from the ground up to be the safest, most exhilarating sedan on the road.”

According to an IIHS executive, however, the car failed to perform well in the small overlap test. This test simulates a crash where the front driver’s side of the vehicle strikes an inanimate object like a telephone pole. In the test, the Tesla crash test dummy hit its head on the vehicle’s steering wheel. The seat belts were also found to be not strong enough.

Two other cars that were tested, the Chevrolet Impala and the Ford Taurus, also failed to earn the Top Safety Pick Plus label. Like the Tesla, they displayed problems in the small overlap test.

Despite these issues, the IIHS executive noted, “Large cars, by virtue of being large, are safer than smaller ones.” However, it’s important to do your homework before buying any car to determine what its safety record is.

If you are injured in a crash or a loved one is killed and you believe that the vehicle did not perform as it should have to protect those inside, it’s worthwhile to discuss your concerns with an experienced Albuquerque personal injury attorney. Regardless of whose fault the crash was, you may be able to seek compensation from the automaker.