satiger

iTrader: (1)

According to latest test results by IIHS, it looks like Toyota/Lexus in general did poorly in protecting occupants. GX cousin 4Runner earned 'poor' rating. Any thoughts.....?

http://money.cnn.com/2007/07/02/auto...ion=2007070310

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/...s_safest_cars/

LexusBob

Heard it mentioned on radio yesterday. The newscaster stated that whiplash in several of these SUV's was worse than others?!? I was hit from the rear last year on highway and didn't suffer whiplash. My head restraint was up at proper level and I felt it stop me when my head went back. This was approx. 30 MPH hit from behind (I was stopped in traffic, saw him coming but couldn't get out of the way and I even tensed up a little in anticipation).

Pearlpower

iTrader: (2)

Many SUV's made that list, not just those from Lexus/Toyota. Newer designs seemed to fair better with exception of the X series from BMW. The GX is a 4 year old design so I am sure the next model will address the latest test results similar to how the new Tundra scored well in this test.

Several SUVs made progress — 17 of 59 SUVs from the 2007 model year received top ratings in the testing, compared with six of 44 SUVs tested in 2006.

The best performers among 2007 SUVs included: Acura MDX and RDX; Lincoln MKX, Ford Edge and Ford Freestyle; Honda CR-V, Element and Pilot; Hyundai Santa Fe; Jeep Grand Cherokee; Kia Sorento; Land Rover LR3; Mercedes M Class; Mitsubishi Outlander; Subaru B9 Tribeca and Forester, and Volvo XC90.

SUVs from the 2007 model year rated poorly were: BMW X3 and X5; Buick Rainier, Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy and Isuzu Ascender; Cadillac SRX; Chrysler Pacifica; Dodge Nitro; Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer; Mitsubishi Endeavor; Hummer H3; Hyundai Tucson; Jeep Liberty; Kia Sportage; Lexus GX470 and RX; Nissan Xterra; Saab 9-7X; Suzuki XL7; Toyota 4Runner and Highlander.

In other vehicle categories, the 2007 Toyota Tundra was the only pickup to receive the top score. Three minivans received the highest marks: Ford Freestar, Hyundai Entourage and the Kia Sedona.

For pickups, the institute gave poor ratings to Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Classic and the GMC Sierra 1500 Classic; Dodge Ram 1500; Ford Ranger and Mazda B Series; Nissan Frontier and certain versions of Ford F-150, Dodge Dakota and Mitsubishi Raider.

Minivans scoring poorly were the Buick Terraza, Chevrolet Uplander and Saturn Relay; some versions of the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan; and the Toyota Sienna.

encore888

Hopefully more Lexus models will be adding the Active Pre-Crash Headrests, which the LX 570 will offer, they supposedly prevent whiplash.

I6turbo

iTrader: (1)

Be sure your headrests (regardless of vehicle) are adjusted to the proper height. If not, whiplash is far, far more likely. I'm guessing that these vehicles that fared poorly in the whiplash test were ones with low rear headrest (like the GX) and the tests were conducted with the headrests in the lowest position.

I test-drove the new Tundra yesterday. I noticed that the rear seats have pretty tall backs and therefore, headrests -- particularly compared to other trucks.

I'd like to see what the 3rd gen LS (LS430) scored in this test. That thing has pretty tall seat backs with very cushy headrests, and for most people would be like having a matress behind you. I'd expect it to score very well based upon my theory (assuming the dummy isn't overly tall).

The G Man

Most SUV that did well in this test was recently re-design.

bgsntth

I think these tests need to be taken with a grain of salt too. In our LR3, which did very well in these tests, the head-rests are fixed and lean forward. I noticed that the top of the head-rest hits the base of my skull, where skull and neck meet; which cannot be a good thing in a rear-end crash. The GX's head-rest can be adjusted to contact the middle-part of my skull. I wonder if the GX being a ladder frame, and most of the SUV's that did well being unibody, factored into the results too?

I6turbo

iTrader: (1)

^^^ True that.

Edit: I noticed last night that the GX does not have abnormally low rear seat backs, so I was mistaken in what I posted above -- we have the headrest removed behind our child's rear-facing car seat and I was confused by recalling the look of that one seat back. But, with the headrests on like they should normally be, they aren't unusually short at all. Anyway...

The G Man

The front head rest is a bit short though.