IIHS Crash Tests 10 Midsize Convertibles

Just in time for the summer season, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS)has just announced the results from its latest crash-test fest. The subject of their bash-up was midsize convertibles, which marks the first time that the Institute conducted its series of tests on open topped vehicles. In total, the IIHS crash tested ten different models in three different ways - frontal offset, side impact and rear impact, the latter to test out whiplash and spinal injuries. All vehicles subjected were four-seat convertibles with either a cloth top or a folding hardtop; the cars present were the Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, Chrysler Sebring, Ford Mustang, Mitsubishi Eclipse, Pontiac G6, Saab 9-3, Toyota Camry Solara, Volkswagen Eos, and the Volvo C70. The Mercedes-Benz CLK was absent.

Crash protection has always been a touchy situation for automakers as far as convertibles are concerned. Without the presence of the overhead metal cage a sedan or coupe offers, there's much more stress put on the chassis. Manufacturers have found a way around this by strengtheningthe front pillars, the rear bulkhead, the chassis rails and by adding more cross members throughout the frame of the vehicle.

The two Swedes, the Saab 9-3 and the Volvo C70, were awarded the IIHS' Top Safety Pick for their "Good" rating under all crash tests, plus the standard equipment of stability control. Somehow, and we're not surprised, the Swedes always have a good showing, even during crunch time. On the contrary, two of the American convertibles, the Ford Mustang and the Pontiac G6, didn't fare too well, receiving "Acceptable" during the front crash for different reasons. On the G6, the driver's seat track failed, pitching the dummy four inches forward into the steering wheel, while the driver's door opened on the Mustang Convertible. Being that these two are a great deal less expensive than most of the others in this test, it would appear that the adage "you get what you pay for" is appropriate, but then again none of the German brands received "Good" overall ratings on their pricey drop-tops and the Toyota, Mitsubishi and Chrysler models fell short too.

For this reason the IIHS is urging automakers tofocus on other areas of safety, including side, rear and rollover crashes. Despite featuring side impact airbags, the brand new BMW 3-Series, G6 and Audi A4 received only "Marginal" ratings, hinting that greater work is needed to shield occupants from T-bone accidents. Most convertibles faired poorly for rear collisions, with only the Volvo and Saab featuring anti-whiplash head restraints, earning them the “Good” classification. The Swedes and the Germans also received the thumbs up for their standard pop-up rollover bars, while none of the American or Japanese cars offered any rollover protection.

Although the IIHS covered the bulk of convertibles, they didn't scope out the budget convertibles (New Beetle, PT Cruiser), or the roadsters like the MX-5, Solstice, Sky, TT, S2000, Boxster or Z4. Hopefully, in the next installment, they'll pursue the results of these vehicles, as sales of lightweight sports cars are on the rise. One area that we're certain the IIHS won't explore is the passive safety of the more exotic sports convertibles like the Mercedes-Benz SL, Jaguar XK or Porsche 911, due to their high cost and low(er) sales volumes.