Excerpted from http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr022608.html
The full IIHS news release, including a video, may be viewed by clicking the above link. The .pdf version, including a ratings chart for the tested SUV models, is available at: http://www.iihs.org/news/2008/iihs_news_022608.pdf
News Release | February 26, 2008
New crash tests of SUVs: Nissan Murano is Top Safety Pick; 3 SUVs are marginal or poor for protection in side crashes
ARLINGTON, VA — The best overall performer in front, side, and rear tests of nine 4-door midsize SUV models is the redesigned 2009 Nissan Murano, which earns the Top Safety Pick award. The tests were recently conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The Jeep Liberty, Jeep Wrangler 4-door, and Kia Sorento, all 2008 models, are the worst performers in the side test. The Liberty, also sold as the Dodge Nitro, and Wrangler earn the second lowest rating of marginal for protection in side crashes. The Sorento earns the lowest rating of poor.
The Mazda CX-7 and CX-9 as well as the Mitsubishi Endeavor earn good ratings for protection in front and side crashes. All three would have won Top Safety Pick if they had good ratings for protection against neck injury in rear-end crashes. The seat/head restraint combinations in both Mazdas are rated marginal for rear crash protection. The Endeavor's is poor.
Safety of SUVs is improving: In 2001 only half of the midsize models that were tested earned good ratings in the frontal offset test. In the latest evaluations, all but the Hummer H3 do, and it earns an acceptable rating. As manufacturers introduce improved designs, more SUVs are qualifying for Top Safety Pick by earning good ratings in all three tests and having electronic stability control (ESC).
The full IIHS news release, including a video, may be viewed by clicking the above link. The .pdf version, including a ratings chart for the tested SUV models, is available at: http://www.iihs.org/news/2008/iihs_news_022608.pdf