Ihsi Rates Sierra/silverado "poor" For Side Impact Crashes.

BigRed79 · February 11, 2009

This can't be good press for GM

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2009/autos/...sh_tests/2.html

Front impact: Good

Side Impact: Poor

Whiplash protection: Acceptable

Stability Control: Optional

Top Safety Pick: No

While they earned the top grade of "Good" for front-crash protection, General Motors big trucks got a "Poor" rating from the Insurance Institute for side-impact protection.

The problem, according to the Institute, is a weak side structure combined with the absence of body-protecting side airbags. These trucks do have head-protecting side airbags and those worked well, but those airbags don't protect ribs and internal organs.

The Silverado and Sierra earned top ratings for both front and side impact protection from the federal government's National Highway Safety Administration, which uses different tests from those used by the Insurance Institute.

"IIHS tests are valid and we do pay attention to them," GM said in a statement responding to the Insurance Institute, "but it's also important to understand the results of a single test do not determine whether a vehicle is safe or not."

GM will be making changes to these trucks for the 2010 model year that will allow them to perform better on the Insurance Institute's tests, a GM spokeswoman said separately.

BuckFeverZ · February 11, 2009

I'd rather be in my truck then a Mini Cooper or one of those fuggin' Smart Cars if I got t-boned.

bubba33 · February 11, 2009

That test would not keep me from buying one.

Crazy Canuck · February 11, 2009

I'd rather be in my truck then a Mini Cooper or one of those fuggin' Smart Cars if I got t-boned.

I agree, I wouldn't want to be in one of those is I T-Boned them with my truck either!!

matt3 · February 11, 2009

I'd rather be in my truck then a Mini Cooper or one of those fuggin' Smart Cars if I got t-boned.

I agree, I wouldn't want to be in one of those is I T-Boned them with my truck either!!

Got that right!

J-man67 · February 11, 2009

They can go under me...phuck side impacts!

tnord · February 11, 2009

i really could give two shits about crash ratings.

stevewallace · February 11, 2009

i really could give two shits about crash ratings.

Yeah, until you've been in one, flown to Shock Trauma, and spend the next four months 'learning' to walk again. Then you start to care, trust me I have the Titanium to prove it!

Bostonsfavson · February 12, 2009

i really could give two shits about crash ratings.

Yeah, until you've been in one, flown to Shock Trauma, and spend the next four months 'learning' to walk again. Then you start to care, trust me I have the Titanium to prove it!

Amen. No one cares about stuff like this until a semi plows in to them at 65 MPH. This stuff matters. I've been there.

jrrod2004 · February 12, 2009

i really could give two shits about crash ratings.

Yeah, until you've been in one, flown to Shock Trauma, and spend the next four months 'learning' to walk again. Then you start to care, trust me I have the Titanium to prove it!

Amen. No one cares about stuff like this until a semi plows in to them at 65 MPH. This stuff matters. I've been there.

+1

jrrod2004 · February 12, 2009

drive one of these and you will be alright:

http://www.alpineco.com/armored/vehicles.htm

does anybody know what the ratings were for the GMT800s?

music · February 12, 2009

I looked at the IIHS tests and noticed a substantial difference in their tests. They tested the Tundra DoubleCab, but chose the Chevy Crew Cab. The test sled for side impact hits the rear cab wall of the Tundra, but misses it on the Chevy, meaning that full force goes to the doors and the center pillar. Hardly a fair comparison. Another important point: the NHTSA safety tests give the Silverado/Sierra twins 5-stars front and side impact. Go figure...

That said, all new vehicles should come standard with a full complement of air bags and head restraints. How can GM sticker a medium-optioned 4wd truck at almost $40k and not have full safety options included?

mr_bots · February 12, 2009

I'm watching the video and I'm not noticing much of a difference between them. The Silverado did seem to cave more, but its not like the barrier was on the driver's lap. After that severe of a wreck anyways I don't think you'd walk away. Look at how bad the neck on the dummy snapped sideways, even in the trucks with curtain airbags. Also, some people take crash tests too serious. They don't necessarily show what will happen in the real world. No two crashes are alike. I'm not excusing GM's poor showing, and congrats to the F150, Tundra, and Ridgeline (did they really include it in a large pickup comparison???). Just saying that even after watching that I'm not regretting buying my Sierra and if I had to do it over again, I still wouldn't buy another truck.

LawmanSS · February 12, 2009

I'd rather be in my truck then a Mini Cooper or one of those fuggin' Smart Cars if I got t-boned.

Exactly...I can't imagine why anyone would drive a Smart car. I can't see you having a chance if you were hit by anything of any considerable size. Swatting a fly comes to mind...