Automobiles Review

Tag: IIHS

  • 2020 Mazda CX-30 earns TOP SAFETY PICK award from IIHS!

    2020 Mazda CX-30The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) today announced that the 2020 Mazda CX-30 has earned its 2020 TOP SAFETY PICK award when geared with specific lights set.

    In order to qualify for the prominent recognition, a vehicle should earn good rating score in all six IIHS crashworthiness evaluations – these include the driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side roof strength and head restraint tests. Additionally, it is needed an advanced or superior rating for both vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention, as well as an acceptable or good headlight rating.

    Mazda’s i-Activesence is a term that describes the entire plethora of advanced safety features – as expected, this suite played a key role in impressing the demanding jury members. I-Activesense includes active safety features which help to avert collisions or reduce their severity in different crash scenarios. The suite includes Advanced Smart City Brake Support with Pedestrian Detection, Smart Brake Support with Collision Waring, Smart Brake Support, Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go Function, Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning System with Lane-Keep Assist, Driver Attention Alert, High Beam Control, Adaptive Front-Lighting System, and Traffic Sign Recognition.

    SEE ALSO: Karma Automotive expands its network of dealers!

    New CX-30 joins the Mazda CX-9, and its more advanced Mazda3, Mazda6, CX-3 and CX-5 siblings that have managed to win the TOP SAFETY PLUS award.

    Source: Mazda 

  • 2020 CR-V Hybrid has earned the TOP SAFETY PICK award by IIHS!

    2020-Honda-CR-V-Hybrid-9102020 Honda CR-V Hybrid has earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) 2020 Top Safety Pick rating. The vehicle joins the rest of the CR-V lineup that has won such an award when geared with specific headlights. Other Honda vehicles that have been recognized with the prize are Accord, Civic, and Insight.

    For 2020 model year, all CR-V models are offered with Honda Sensing as a standard feature on all trim levels. The suite features comprehensive safety and driver-assistive technologies as Collision Mitigation Braking System, Pedestrian Detection, Forward Collision Warning, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist System and Adaptive Cruise Control.

    Furthermore, all Honda vehicles benefit from the brand’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure, designed to protect occupants in a wide variety of frontal collisions, along with advanced supplemental restraint systems.

    SEE ALSO: Honda reveals first details for new 2021 Odyssey lineup!

    As it comes to the award itself, in order to earn it, a vehicle must score “GOOD” crashworthiness ratings in all test modes, including the famous passenger-side small overlap test. A top-rated vehicle must also offer front crash prevention that earns “ADVANCED” or “SUPERIOR” rating in both vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian tests, as well as “GOOD” or “ACCEPTABLE” ratings for available headlights.

    Source: Honda

     

     

  • 2019 Jeep Cherokee wins TOP SAFETY PICK award from IIHS

    2019 Jeep CherokeeNew 2019 Jeep Cherokee midsize SUV has earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

    The rating applies for all 2019 Jeep Cherokee models produced after April this year and only when geared with brand’s optional and exclusive Automatic Energy Braking (AEB) technology, Forward Collision Warning Plus and LED projector headlamps with optional automatic high-beam control.

    Alongside these upgrades, new 2019 models feature Jeep’s high-strength-steel upgrades as A-pillar and hinge-pillar, which are also among the key engineering changes that contribute to the winning of the prestigious award.

    Furthermore, Jeep Cherokee has managed to score the highest “good” results in most of the crashworthiness tests – in all six, three of which simulate frontal impacts. The remaining exams inflict damage done with a side impact, rear impact and rollover.

    However, Forward Collision Warning-Plus was grated with a “superior” rating, which is an exclusive award given only to the best and most advanced systems and technologies. This optional feature includes sensor-fusion technology, which blends camera capability with radar detection in order to determine when an impact is imminent. When it does, the gadget warns the driver to take action and if he doesn’t act quick enough, the autonomous braking system engages.

    SEE ALSO: 2020 INFINITI QX80 takes home Ideal Vehicle Award!

    Top Safety Pick rating is also enabled by the Cherokee’s standard LED projector headlamps with optional automatic high-beam control.

    The launch of the new 2019 Jeep Cherokee is marked by a new exterior design concept and brand’s new 2.0-liter direct-injection inline four-cylinder power unit that enhances performance and fuel efficiency.

    Source: Jeep 

  • 2020 Hyundai Palisade earns TOP SAFETY PICK PLUS award from IIHS. Details here!

    2020 Hyundai Palisade2020 Hyundai Palisade has been awarded with the 2019 TOP SAFETY PICK PLUS from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) when equipped with the optional LED headlights. Other brand models that have achieved such recognition are Kona, Tucson (models after March, 2019), Santa Fe, Santa Fe XL and NEXO (built after June 2019).

    In fact, 2020 Palisade is brand’s 13th vehicle to receive TOP SAFETY/TOP SAFETY PLUS award. As a result, Hyundai is now the most-awarded brand in the automotive industry by IIHS in 2019 with six models earning TOP SAFETY award and seven earning TOP SAFETY PICK PLUS.

    According to the institute itself, in order to qualify for a 2019 TOP SAFETY PICK PLUS award, a vehicle must earn good rates in the driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side roof strength and head-restraint tests. The machine must also earn an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention and be geared with good-rated headlights.

    SEE ALSO: Karma Automotive unveils new Revero GT at Supercar Weekend in Vancouver!

    2020 Palisade has managed to earn good ratings in the six IIHS crashworthiness tests. The standard front crash prevention system earned a superior rate with an automatic brake system that has managed to avoid collision in both 12- and 25-mph IIHS track tests.

    Source: Hyundai 

  • 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse earns a TOP SAFETY PICK award from IIHS

    2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., one of the fastest-growing Asian brands in the US, has announced that the new 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is awarded with the TOP SAFETY PICK recognition from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

    Eclipse Cross is the second Mitsubishi vehicle to have earned the prestigious award, along with the 7-passenger Outlander. As you might know, IIHS is an independent, non-profit organization which researches, performs and evaluates vehicles and their safety features.

    In order to qualify for 2019 Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must earn numerous preliminary evaluations. Such include good rating in the driver-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests, along with an acceptable or good rating in the passenger-side small overlap front tests. As expected, Eclipse has received good ratings in all six crash tests. The optional front crash prevention system has managed to avoid collision at 12 and 25mph, earning superior ratting from the IIHS jurors.

    SEE ALSO: Jaguar I-PACE achieves a historic triple win at prestigious motorsport events!

    Eclipse Cross earns the award with its SEL trim level, which includes LED headlights, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Forward Collision Mitigation system and Lane Departure Warning. Furthermore, the vehicle can be specified with Automatic High Beams and 710watt Rockford Fosgate premium audio system.

  • Why Only Two Vehicles Earned the 2019 IIHS Top Safety Pick+

    2019-IIHS-Ranks-910Collision avoidance vehicle technology reduces the rates of injury crashes by 21 percent, according to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Choosing a vehicle with adequate security features could save your life. But with every carmaker touting the safety features of their vehicle, finding a vehicle that stands out can be a daunting task. The IIHS, one of America’s top authorities on car safety, identifies vehicles with remarkable safety features and honors them with a Top Safety Pick+ Award. For the 2019 model year, although a total of 30 vehicles got the prestigious award, only two are available to ordinary buyers.

    The IIHS and Safety

    A total of 57 vehicles earned the 2019 safety award, with just 30 notching the top 2019 Top Safety Pick+ award. The IIHS uses strict criteria to gauge a vehicle’s safety features. All the 57 vehicles that earned an award passed crashworthiness tests and were required to have superior automatic emergency braking systems. The Top Safety Pick+ honoree must have “good” headlights in addition to the other features required for the Top Safety Pick award. Choosing a vehicle with safety features is a good first step in staying safe on the road. Drivers also need to maintain safe driving habits to reduce the chances of accidents. However, should you be involved in an accident, an auto insurance policy can help to cover hospital bills in case of injury arising from an auto accident.

    2019 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Winners

    The list of 2019 Top Safety Pick+ winners contains a diverse array of vehicles but is it is dominated by vehicles by Japanese and Korean carmakers. In fact, only one vehicle made by a U.S. automaker, the Chrysler Pacifica, made it to the Top Safety Pick list. All seven popular Subaru models made this year’s list as did the Kia Optima, Toyota Camry, Lexus ES, and the Hyundai Elantra. Large vehicles on the list include the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Acura RDX, BMW X3, Toyota Avalon, and Hyundai Santa Fe.

    Identifying the True Winners

    However, mentioning that 30 vehicles made the cut for the Top Safety Pick+ is a bit misleading since IIHS was forced to use vehicle trims with optional upgrades for most of the vehicles on the list to qualify for the award. Most entry-level trims would not get the award mostly because of inferior headlights. An analysis of the 2019 Top Safety Pick+ award winners reveals that only two vehicles earn the award regardless of trim and without the need to buy optional equipment: the Honda Insight and the luxury Genesis G90.

    Safety weighs on many car buyers’ minds when shopping for a vehicle and the IIHS attempts to identify the vehicles that stand out in this department. However, although 30 vehicles received the organization’s prestigious 2019 Top Safety Pick+ award, only two would qualify for the award without buying an expensive trim or fitting optional upgrades. Therefore, although the IIHS safety award can point buyers in the right direction, you should examine the fine print to identify the vehicles that really have the features you want.

  • 2019 Mazda6 receives the highest LATCH rating from IIHS!

    2019 Mazda6The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) announced that new 2019 Mazda6 has earned the highest possible rating in the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) ease-of-use ratings. This system is intended to make child restraint installation easier in order to minimize errors and enhance the protection of youngsters in the event of a crash.

    In order to qualify for the award, a machine must provide additional LATCH-equipped seating positions and cover all the following requirements: the lower anchors should be easy to maneuver, the force required to attach should be less than 40 pounds, tether anchors are on vehicle’s rear deck or in the middle of the seatback.

    Mazda6 continues the tradition to offer an outstanding set of safety features that altogether with the LATCH rating redefine the idea of automobile safety. New family member comes with i-Activesense safety features, which include Advanced Smart City Brake Support with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning with Lane-Keep-Assist, Smart Brake Support and Mazda Radar Cruise Control with stop and go function.

    SEE ALSO: Kia Stinger takes home Top Safety Pick Plus award!

    It is always cool to see how a premium brand like Mazda continues to deliver us unique features and technologies in order to remain one of the leaders in the automobile industry. And with all these recognitions and awards, it is completely safe to say that the manufacturer is one of the few that continues to develop new solutions even by being one of the most reliable today.

    Source: Mazda 

  • Kia Niro earns the highest Five Star Rating from IIHS

    2017 Kia NiroThe Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has recognized 2018 Kia Niro with the highest possible Top Safety Pick Plus (TSP+) award. The vehicle has managed to catch the eye with its Forward Collision Warning System and Autonomous Emergency Braking System and the high-intensity discharge headlights. Although being an award for safety and comfort, we should mention that this is a sexy machine with numerous technological advancements – and we are happy to know that along with all the pleasure from driving there is vast number of safety features that would act adequately in tricky situations.

    With this award, the total number of recognitions from IIHS of Kia vehicles only for 2018 is nine – it is a big number and as we can see, Kia is still on the chase of making this number even bigger!

    SEE ALSO: Z-Performance showcases a heavily revised Mercedes-AMG Coupe

    The award itself, the TSP+ requires a vehicle to earn “Good” ratings in six crashworthiness tests – these include driver-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side impact, roof strength, head restrain and more, along with “Good” or “Acceptable” rating in the passenger side small overlap front tests, “Advanced” to “Superior” rating for front crash prevention and “Good” rating in headlight testing. Also, in order to be a fit for the prize, the vehicle must also earn “Good” rates in five crashworthiness tests and earn “Advanced” or “Superior” rates for crash prevention and “Good” rate for headlights tests.

    Source: Kia

  • 2016 Honda Civic Coupe takes home another award! Details here!

    2016 Honda Civic Coupe Sporty, beautiful and refined, the 2016 Honda Civic Coupe takes home one more prize. This time the vehicle proved itself in the field of safety features and earned the highest possible safety rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), indeed the TOP SAFETY PICK+. To be precise, the Civic passed all the test modes, thanks to the Honda Sensing suite that helped the car to do good in the small and moderate overlap frontal collisions, side impact and roof crush protection examinations.

    2016 Civic Coupe joins the 2016 Civic Sedan, 2016 Accord Sedan, 2016 Accord Coupe, 2016 CR-V and 2016 Pilot SUV in incorporating Honda Sensing technology and earning an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ recognition.

    As you know, the TOP SAFETY PICK+ is given to vehicles that have an available front crash prevention system and earn an ADVANCED or SUPERIOR rates from the Institute. In 12mph and 25mph tests, the Civic with Honda Sensing managed to avoid collisions and earned the SUPERIOR rates for the front crash protection. Sweet.

    SEE ALSO: Honda reveals details about “the new NSX” [w/video]

    The vehicle itself comes with tons of advanced safety and driver-assistive features. These include: Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation and more.

    2016 Honda Civic Coupe also features a high-strength steel and advanced crash engineering technologies as the Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure. All 2016 Civic models also come with Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control, 4-channel Anti-Lock Braking System with Brake Assist, responsive suspension, Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering, Multi-Angle Rearview Camera, Expanded View Driver’s Mirror and more.

    2016 Honda Civic Coupe
    2016 Honda Civic Coupe
    2016 Honda Civic Coupe
    2016 Honda Civic Coupe
    2016 Honda Civic Coupe
    2016 Honda Civic Coupe
    2016 Honda Civic Coupe
    2016 Honda Civic Coupe
    2016 Honda Civic Coupe
    2016 Honda Civic Coupe

    Source: Honda 

  • Certain 2015 Subaru models earn Top Safety Pick+ awards

    2015-Subaru-Legacy_thumb2015-Subaru-Legacy_651

    No matter what kind of car you drive on a daily basis, safety remains a top objective because after all the goal of travelling and driving in particular is to get where you want on time and well. This is the reason why many safety technologies get implemented in various cars and they tend to improve on a yearly basis. Still, it is really hard to pick a safe car but thanks to the efforts of the US Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) this task has become a bit easier.

    The IIHS has just enriched your choice with the addition of the all-new 2015 Subaru Legacy and Subaru Outback, which have been given the 2014 Top Safety Pick+ designation. The new Subaru Legacy has achieved the highest possible rating of “good” in the Institute’s crashworthiness evaluations of front small overlap, front moderate overlap, side impact, roof crush and rear impact. The sedan also received a “superior” rating in the Institute’s front crash avoidance testing. The catch is that in order to have the 2014 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ designation the 2015 Subaru Legacy must have the optional EyeSight® driver-assist system.

    2015-Subaru-Outback_651

    The all-new 2015 Subaru Outback has also achieved the highest possible rating of ‘good’ in the Institute’s crashworthiness evaluations, as well as a “superior” rating in the front crash avoidance testing. Just like in the 2015 Subaru Legacy case, the new 2015 Subaru Outback needs to be equipped with the optional EyeSight® driver-assist system.

    Subaru is also proud to announce that seven Subaru models, including the BRZ, Impreza, WRX/STI and XV Crosstrek, have earned 2014 safety awards from IIHS – four with Top Safety Pick and three with Top Safety Pick+ including its Forester, Legacy and Outback models equipped with optional EyeSight®. As Thomas J. Doll, president and chief operating officer, Subaru of America, Inc., says “The Institute’s findings reinforce our dedication to building safe vehicles. We are proud of the 2014 Top Safety Pick endorsement for every Subaru vehicle in our line-up.”

    Source: Subaru

  • The 2015 Chrysler 200 named Top Safety Pick Plus

    2015-Chrysler-200_thumb2015-Chrysler-200_651

    Cars are a nice thing but there is always a risk involved with them. You may be the best and most careful driver ever but no matter how slow you may drive, the driver in the opposite lane may still hit you and cause injuries and other bad things. Clearly you need a car that is as safe as possible.

    Well, your choice has become a bit easier thanks to the efforts of the US Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). If you want a safe car then you should take a look at the 2015 Chrysler 200, which was just named “2014 Top Safety Pick Plus” by this same institute. The highest safety rating was awarded to models that come with front crash prevention.

    “The 200 aced the challenging small overlap front test with a good rating in every measurement category,” said IIHS President Adrian Lund. “Chrysler should also be commended for offering forward collision warning with autonomous braking on this mainstream midsize car. Our research shows that these systems are effective in preventing some kinds of crashes from happening altogether.”

    The tests conducted include a side impact with a large SUV or pickup truck, front moderate-offset impact, roof-crush consistent with a rollover, a rear collision capable of inducing whiplash, a new small-offset frontal impact and new crash prevention evaluation. In all tests the Chrysler 200 achieved the highest possible rating. This is not surprising though – the car comes with a comprehensive array of 60 active and passive safety and security features, including driver-warning/assist systems and state-of-the-art occupant restraints. In addition to all this about 65 per cent of the body of the car consists of hot-stamped, high-strength, advanced high-strength and boron steels for greater overall chassis strength.

    The new 2015 Chrysler 200 comes with various extras such as a nine-speed automatic transmission, full electronic shifting, an innovative all-wheel drive system, a choice of two engines, paddle shifters, an available sport mode, highway fuel economy of US 36 mpg (6.5 liters per 100 km), cruise control and ParkSense Parallel/Perpendicular Park Assist technologies. A unique feature of the 2015 Chrysler 200 is that the car comes with a segment-exclusive standard electronic brake with SafeHold that secures the vehicle if the driver opens the door and unlatches the seat belt while forward or reverse gears are still engaged. Other standard and available features include electronic stability control, electronic roll mitigation, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, ParkSense rear backup sensors, ParkView rear backup camera, blind-spot monitoring, Rear Cross Path Detection and LATCH child seat anchors.

    The new 2015 Chrysler 200 starts at USD 21,700 (excluding a USD 995 destination fee) and is available at various Chrysler dealers in the United States.

    2015 Chrysler 200 new
    2015 Chrysler 200 new
    2015 Chrysler 200 new
    2015 Chrysler 200 new

    Source: Chrysler

  • 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer named “Top Safety Pick”

    2015-Mitsubishi-Lancer_thumb2015-Mitsubishi-Lancer_651

    Owners of the 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer compact sports sedan have a new reason to be happy with their cars – the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has named the car “Top Safety Pick”. The Ralliart and Evolution models are not covered by this award, though.

    To name the 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer compact sports sedan “Top Safety Pick”, the IIHS used a total of twelve “small cars” for the so-called small overlap front crash test that has 25 per cent of the vehicle’s frontal area on the driver’s side impact a barrier at 40 mph (64 km/h). Introduced in 2012, the small overlap front crash test “replicates what happens when the front corner of a vehicle collides with another vehicle or an object such as a tree or utility pole,” according to the IIHS. Half of the vehicles evaluated achieved non-passing grades of “marginal” or “poor”; the IIHS requires that a vehicle earn a grade of “good” or “acceptable” to pass the test.

    “It is great to see our very popular Mitsubishi Lancer once again named as a “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety,” said Don Swearingen, Executive Vice President of MMNA. “Lancer is a versatile compact sports sedan that has an exceptional degree of safety, excellent fuel economy, sporty performance and plentiful standard features all at price to fit almost any budget.”

    What’s even better for the Mitsubishi brand and people who consider buying a Mitsubishi Lancer compact sports sedan is that the “Top Safety Pick” designation is applicable to the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer compact sports sedan. The new car improves on previous models by including heated side view mirrors with turn indicators (standard on all models); an advanced next-generation continuously-variable transmission (CVT) that mimics the operation of a precision 7-speed transmission (standard on SE AWC model and available on other versions); and expanded new standard features including redesigned 16-inch two-tone alloy wheels, FUSE Hands-Free Link System with USB port, high contrast meters with color multi-information display, chrome interior door handles, soft-touch upper door trim, 6-speaker audio system, fog lights, and Sport front fascia with color-keyed center bumper (SE AWC model). New available content packages for the 2015 Lancer include a feature-rich Value Package (ES model) and Sun and Sound Package (GT model).

    You can have the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer in four different models – the Lancer ES comes with loads of features and sells for USD 17 195 (fuel economy of up to 34 mpg/6.92 liters per 100 km); the Lancer SE AWC comes with a standard all-wheel control all-wheel drive system (USD 20 995); the luxurious Lancer GT sells for USD 20 595, while the turbocharged Lancer Ralliart with a sure-footed Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system and an available rapid-fire 6-speed Twin-Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission sells for USD 29 495.

    Source: Mitsubishi Motors North America