The Chevy Traverse has received a rating of ‘Acceptable’ in a strict new side-impact crash test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
This revised side-impact crash test procedure was introduced by the IIHS last year in an effort to improve vehicle safety in these crash types. The new test includes a heavier 4,180 pound barrier to mimic the weight of a modern-day mid-size crossover, which travels at a higher speed of 37 mph compared to the previous test speed of 31 mph. The IIHS says these changes result in a crash that generates 82 percent more energy. The honeycomb-pattern striking surface of the new barrier also has a different design that acts more like today’s SUVs or pickups when striking the side of another vehicle.
To earn the best-possible rating of ‘Good’in this test, the “occupant compartment must hold its shape well during the crash,” according to the IIHS, while data collected from the dummies must not indicate a high risk of severe injuries. The side curtain airbags and seat belts should prevent the dummies’ heads from making hard contact with the interior of the vehicle, as well.
The 2022 Chevy Traverse showed some room for improvement in this evaluation, receiving a moderate score of ‘Acceptable’ due to various shortcomings. The IIHS gave the Traverse’s crash structure and safety cage a rating of ‘Moderate’, along with torso and pelvis protection ratings of ‘Acceptable’.
The top-performing crossover in this evaluation was the Ford Explorer, which received the best-possible overall score of Good across all crash safety metrics except for pelvis protection. The worst-performing vehicle in this evaluation was the Nissan Murano, which had an overall rating of ‘Marginal’ largely due to the ‘Poor’ rating it received for its crash structure and safety cage.
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Comments
I think Traverse gets a second class treatment in GM as they have Tahoe and Yukon doing 7 seat sales and brings more profit. On crossover side , i think Blazer is getting more attention.
In my view, they should concentrate little more on Traverse .. The crossover 7 seat is a very critical area for EVs also. I know they have Silverado chassis of Tahoe and Yukon but i dont think every one needs those.
The smallest 3 row SUVs/minivans have existed because they automatically qualify the vehicle as a light truck for fuel economy purposes. Coupled with the fact that people are having less kids, I suspect the EV answer is eventually going to be something halfway in between the midsize (Traverse) and small (Blazer), a two-row with much nicer rear seats.
Lol… the newer Cadillac XT6 rates the highest in the crash test and yet its clone the the elder Traverse is mediocre… Regardless, same frame and sheet metal design with the same side and rear airbags.
Never knew crash dummies had off days…
When I bought my 19 Premier, walked acrossed the Chevy lot to the Cadillac lot and sat in the new XT6 and was wowed. Heated vibration seats… but, first year for Cadillac in this segment, yup, same chasis as Traverse and Enclave for 7 passengers.
Its been a couple years but NO changes for the Cadillac so something stinks.
JMO
Nope, pay attention to the test version. Both the XT6 and Traverse got good ratings in the original side impact test. Only the Traverse has had the updated side impact test done, and it got acceptable.
Also, read the fine print. The XT6 was not actually tested for the original side impact: they used the results from the 2017 Acadia.
“Regardless, same frame and sheet metal design with the same side and rear airbags.”
Not correct either. The Traverse has a longer, wider body and longer wheelbase than the Acadia/XT6. The Traverse has about 3 inches more hiproom, which will affect side impact.