IIHS small overlap test results for sonic
- Thread starter firstorbit84
- Start date
firstorbit84
New member
I agree. But in this case the side curtain should have clearly deployed immediately. It may be an issue of where the sensor is located or perhaps they need to program it to deploy automatically with the driver's front airbag
mitdr774
also a dinner prick
this test is not a side impact though. The side impact sensors seem to trip late, due to the fact that they are for a side impact and not a front impact. SRS sensors only function within a set degree range from the center line of the sensor and the direction it is mounted. The impact in this test is outside that window at initial impact.
The only way to satisfy this test would be to have the side air bags go off with the front as you suggested. The end result will be more air bag deployment, higher cost to repair/rate of total loss, higher insurance premium, and another entry level car that cost an excessive amount to own all in the name of safety.
The only way to satisfy this test would be to have the side air bags go off with the front as you suggested. The end result will be more air bag deployment, higher cost to repair/rate of total loss, higher insurance premium, and another entry level car that cost an excessive amount to own all in the name of safety.
SouthFLSonic
Active member
From what I've been told by the dealer, if all your airbags go off even if the car wasn't damaged bad at all they will total it out due to replacement cost on the airbags. Correct me if I am wrong but airbags are $1,000 each so 10 bags=$10,000 to replace on a sub 20k car.
firstorbit84
New member
That's definitely extra money I'd be willing to pay for safety.
Why advertise that the car has 10 airbags if they don't go of when you need them?
Why advertise that the car has 10 airbags if they don't go of when you need them?
mitdr774
also a dinner prick
If you get hit in the front, the fronts go off. If you get hit in the side, the side bags go off. The new IIHS test is a front test that puts just enough side motion to eventually trip the side sensors. Its not an impact they were really designed to go off in. Its a new test and to me it seems is designed to exploit this "weakness".
Personally I hate air bags and will eventually defeat mine.
Also for the first 5 years they dont total a car until repair exceeds 75% value. Once it is over 5 years they can spend however much they want above the 75%, although they tend to just total. One reason I hate air bags is due the the repair cost. Every time there is a high repair/pay off for a car the insurance premiums on that platform go up a little.
Personally I hate air bags and will eventually defeat mine.
Also for the first 5 years they dont total a car until repair exceeds 75% value. Once it is over 5 years they can spend however much they want above the 75%, although they tend to just total. One reason I hate air bags is due the the repair cost. Every time there is a high repair/pay off for a car the insurance premiums on that platform go up a little.
Italianjoe1
Member
That's such a brutal test. Outside of the main body structure, it's difficult for the cars to absorb much of that energy. If you watch some of the other cars, a lot lose the wheel/door on that side and continue moving.
Not every accident can be made safe. If you get crushed between a dumptruck and a wall you will die, I don't care what car you have or how many airbags. Risk comes with the territory. If you don't want to deal with it, don't drive.
I've been in one bad crash myself, my wife got her previous car totalled and that's when we got the sonic. Airbags were not a factor in either and we both were relatively unharmed despite them being very hard, 30-40mph speed differential hits. Luck of the draw to an extent, and defensive driving.
Not every accident can be made safe. If you get crushed between a dumptruck and a wall you will die, I don't care what car you have or how many airbags. Risk comes with the territory. If you don't want to deal with it, don't drive.
I've been in one bad crash myself, my wife got her previous car totalled and that's when we got the sonic. Airbags were not a factor in either and we both were relatively unharmed despite them being very hard, 30-40mph speed differential hits. Luck of the draw to an extent, and defensive driving.
firstorbit84
New member
that's not necessarily true because each car is given relative ratings within its class.
sx sonic
New member
Truth.
A 5star rated Smart Car is about as safe as a 2 star rated Silverado 2500.
Even the window sticker states something along the lines of "crash test ratings are based on vehicles of similar class and weight".
Can't fight physics.
That said a top safety pick for It's class is a good sign.
Looking at the top view, it seems like if they were able to build two strong beams that ran in a sort of V formation inside the engine compartment (the wide part of the V connecting to the base of the window pillars, the pointy end attached to the nose of the car) then it will cause the car to deflect away from the impact before the cabin is intruded upon.
Of course, what those two beams would do to the full frontal collision, I don't know.
Of course, what those two beams would do to the full frontal collision, I don't know.
Divinespark
New member
Looking at the other manufacturers crash tests .. most of them did better than the sonic. Side airbags came down when they should. But Kia Soul did terrible. Volkswagen beetle and Jetta got the same score as Sonic.
This small overlap test is a new test that they are doing. Cars weren't built with this test in mind. The more standard test being the marginal overlap. Considering this, it's no surprise to see a good new car fail this test or a side curtain deploy in a weird manner. It wasn't designed to take that type of hit.