Toyota Tundra Gets Top Frontal Crash Test Rating

Last month, we were a bit stunned when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the all-new Toyota Tundra a four-star crash test rating, instead of the highest 5-star rating. The testing procedures by the NHTSA are almost always more forgiving than the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which uses more extreme crash tests in their evaluations.

Today, we learn that the IIHS rated the new Tundra good, the group’s highest score, in frontal crash tests. Both a two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive Double Cab Tundra were tested.

Also receiving a good frontal crash test rating was the newly redesigned 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer.

Related
Tundra Four-Star Safety Rating Not a Good Thing (KickingTires)
2007 Toyota Tundra Expert Review (Cars.com)
Cars.comparison: Full-Size Trucks (Cars.com)
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Expert Review (Cars.com)

Comments

but it stil has four stars NHTSA. and how many times does it four is also a "good" for the insurance people? could a "good" be either a 4 or 5 too?

I think an insurance rate would account for how a vehicle would fair in the most common type of accident. Frontal. So, a 5 star in that aspect would be more important than a rear ending or side impact. Insurance rates also are dependant on vehicle repair costs, theft rates, location of the insured, age, miles driven per year and local weather history. I'm sure there are plenty of other factors to consider as well.

This just adds to what I have never liked about both groups' crash tests: there is room for flukes. Sure, that same "fluke" could happen on the roads and makes it a valid result.

I never liked that they test the cars once for each test. Yes, I am aware of how incredibly expensive it would be to perform three repetitions for each test, but it doesn't change how I feel about these tests.

I agree with Jason. I don't understand what they do sometimes. I have a Mazda3 with side airbags but i don't know what the crash test results for it because they only tested one without curtain airbags and it got a poor. They should test a car with and without airbags if it comes with it as a option.