| The latest results of the Insurance Institute for | | | | not a major feat of engineering to design seats and |
| Highway Safety test on vehicles’ head restraints | | | | head restraints that afford good protection in these |
| has revealed that several SUVs SUVs had improved | | | | common crashes." |
| protections against whiplash injuries, however, it gave | | | | "We feel our test procedures are good predictors of |
| poor marks to vehicles made by several automakers, | | | | how well our seat/head restraints will protect |
| including BMW AG, DaimlerChrysler AG, Ford Motor | | | | occupants from neck injuries in the event of a rear |
| Co., General Motors Corp., Nissan Motor Co. and | | | | impact," said Toyota spokesman Bill Kwong. |
| Toyota Motor Corp. | | | | Automakers said there were many ways to evaluate |
| In simulated crashes conducted by the insurance | | | | rear crash protection and vehicles were designed to |
| industry, it was found that head restraints in dozens | | | | provide a high degree of safety. |
| of sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks and minivans | | | | Among SUVs from the 2007 model year rating |
| provided only poor or marginal protection from neck | | | | poorly were the GMC Envoy, BMW X3 and X5 and |
| injuries. | | | | the Toyota 4Runner and Highlander. |
| According to the IIHS, the simulated rear crashes at | | | | However, it’s not all bad news as several SUVs |
| 20 mph revealed that many large vehicles do not | | | | also made progress. Out of 59 2007 model year |
| meet the standards in protecting against neck injuries. | | | | vehicles 17 received top ratings, in contrast to |
| Rear-end collisions are frequent, and neck injuries are | | | | 2006’s six out of 44. |
| the most common injuries reported in auto crashes -- | | | | The best performers among 2007 SUVs included: |
| accounting for 2 million insurance claims each year, | | | | Acura MDX and RDX; Lincoln MKX; Ford Edge; Honda |
| costing at least $8.5 billion. | | | | (also maker of top of the line Honda door ) CR-V, |
| Evaluating a total of 87 models, fifty-four were rated | | | | Element and Pilot; Hyundai Santa Fe; Jeep Grand |
| marginal or poor, a dozen were acceptable and 21 | | | | Cherokee, and Volvo XC90. |
| received the best rating of good. | | | | Meanwhile Toyota’s 2007 Toyota Tundra was |
| "In stop-and-go commuter traffic, you're more likely | | | | the only pickup to receive the top score for its |
| to get in a rear-end collision than any other crash | | | | segment. |
| type," said institute vice president David Zuby. "It's | | | | |