General Motors quietly updated the 2018 GMC Terrain and 2018 Chevrolet Equinox to bolster side-impact safety. For Terrain models built after November 28 and Equinox models built after Feb. 19, March 5, or March 12 (depending on assembly location), the compact crossovers now feature additional welds and foam blocks.
The Car Connection reported on the changes this Wednesday, which bring both crossovers’ federal side-impact ratings from three stars to five stars. Originally, the 2018 Equinox and Terrain held four-star overall ratings, but the improved side-impact score brings both models to five-star overall ratings.
GMC confirmed the running updates to the Terrain with TCC and requested a retest after the additional welds and foam blocks were added to the rear driver- and passenger-side doors.
Although the federal government has updated its ratings, the independent body, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, said it has no plans to update its scores.
Comments
This is the result of General Motors integrating AI (artificial intelligence) to their design process to get maximum weight lost in structural design while designing for maximum safety before building proof of concept using 3D printers so there are no surprises when the prototypes are assembled.
GM does not design anything for “maximum safety”. That would be unnecessarily expensive. GM strives to be “competitive”.
Guess I’m out of luck. I purchased my 2018 Equinox last July. Hope I don’t get blindsided!
Guess I am out of luck. I purchased my 2018 Equinox last July. Hope I don’t get blindsided!
This looks like a fix because of computer design before they actually test one.
It leaves you scrambling for a fix after th3 fact.
I hope they fix this. The first year owners should get just as well rated models as the second year buyers.
I am glad they fixed it but disappointed it was not right in the first place.
300zxTTZ!
GM needs to make the safety suite standard in their vehicles. Competitors are killing them in this area.
Pretty much agree with this, Equinox just received ACC as an option…GM agreed to make AEB braking standard on all light duty vehicles by MY22, yet even for MY18s, AEB is part of the “Confidence II” package which requires purchasing “Confidence I” and usually other option package including the higher trim levels…
They already do on all of there vehicles now, if not mistaken.