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IIHS Tests Small Trucks--And Most Are Left Wanting

IIHS Tests Small Trucks--And Most Are Left Wanting

By Marty Padgett's avatar Marty PadgettMarty Padgett July 24th, 2008

2008 Toyota Tacoma

2008 Toyota Tacoma

Enlarge Photo
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has tested the crashworthiness of compact trucks in side impacts--and the Toyota Tacoma is the only truck to emerge with its safety reputation intact.

The Tacoma earned the IIHS's "good" rating for side-impact protection in the test of 2008 models. Its optional side and curtain airbags provided enough protection for crash dummies to get the rating, the agency's highest. The Tacoma also has a "good" rating for front-impact protection.

Other compact trucks didn't fare as well. The Dodge Dakota, Ford Ranger, and Nissan Frontier all were rated "marginal" by the insurance industry-funded group, while the Chevrolet Colorado (and we correlate, the nearly identical GMC Canyon) was given a "poor" rating for side impacts.

The IIHS notes that all the vehicles involved in the test save for the Frontier and the Tacoma lacked stability control. (The GM trucks will have it standard in 2009.) The Tacoma was the only truck offered with side airbags as well. It also notes small trucks have the highest driver death rates on the road.

As a result of these latest tests, some of TheCarConnection.com's safety ratings for reviewed vehicles have changed. Click the trucks above if you're shopping and want to find more about the safety ratings of the vehicle of your choice. 2008 Toyota TacomaEnlarge PhotoThe Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has tested the crashworthiness of compact trucks in side impacts--and the Toyota Tacoma is the only truck to emerge with its safety reputation intact. The Tacoma earned the IIHS's "good" rating for side-impact protection in the test of 2008 models. Its optional side and curtain airbags provided enough protection for crash dummies to get the rating, the agency's highest. The Tacoma also has a "good" rating for front-impact protection. Other compact trucks didn't fare as well. The Dodge Dakota, Ford Ranger, and Nissan Frontier all were rated "marginal" by the insurance industry-funded group, while the Chevrolet Colorado (and we correlate, the nearly identical GMC Canyon) was given a "poor" rating for side impacts. The IIHS notes that all the vehicles involved in the test save for the Frontier and the Tacoma lacked stability control. (The GM trucks will have it standard in 2009.) The Tacoma was the only truck offered with side airbags as well. It also notes small trucks have the highest driver death rates on the road. As a result of these latest tests, some of TheCarConnection.com's safety ratings for reviewed vehicles have changed. Click the trucks above if you're shopping and want to find more about the safety ratings of the vehicle of your choice.

Tags: Pickups, Safety

Posted in: 2008, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Nissan, Toyota, Tacoma



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Responses (3 total)

  1. By willy j #1, Posted: 7/26/2008

    `` What ""VISION" ??, do we as the consumer need now , about any thing from Detroit, while the place [detroit] is sinking??. The "IIHS"": well they are just so way out of line , no one need's to hear from them now!

  2. By icuh8n #2, Posted: 7/26/2008

    All of these trucks, except the Ranger, offer optional side airbags, but the Tacoma is the only one tested with them... Well it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out which one will do the best. Why not do a fair test? Sad thing is, people will eat this up, making Toyota look good and the rest like crap, doesnt seem too fair to me... (just to let you know, I like the Tacoma)

  3. By paul gs #3, Posted: 7/26/2008

    The reason the Taco was tested with side airbags while the others weren't is because side airbags will be standard on the Taco for the 2009 model year.
    The IIHS site says:
    "When side airbags are optional, the Institute's policy is to test a vehicle without the option. An auto manufacturer may request a second test with the airbags if the automaker reimburses the Institute for the cost of the vehicle. Manufacturers of the Dakota, Frontier, and Colorado didn't request second tests (side airbags aren't offered in the Ranger, even as options). The Tacoma was tested only with its optional side airbags, an exception to normal policy because such airbags will be standard in 2009 Tacoma pickups being shipped to dealers this month."
    http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr072408.html

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