Crossover Ford Kuga failed the new crash test

5 April 2018

IIHS has conducted tests of compact crossover

The insurance Institute for highway safety (The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, IIHS) is known for its strict standards. Several years ago he introduced a new frontal crash test at 64 km/h with a small (25 %) overlap, which has become a serious challenge, even for premium cars. Many models simply lacked the strength of the body. In 2017, the IIHS has introduced a similar test, but with a kick to the passenger side. It is assumed that even with the almost complete symmetry of the superstructure of the cars, in recent times, some steel producers to cheat and increase mainly the driver's side to pass that wretched test.

And now experts pitched seven compact crossovers: BMW X1, Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Escape, GMC Terrain, Jeep Compass, Mitsubishi Outlander and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Not all of them are, however, BMW X1, Mitsubishi Outlander and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport (in the USA called the ASX) in Russia is still sold. But in this case we are more interested in the Ford Escape. The fact is that in our country this car is sold under the name Ford Kuga, and of all the participants, he got the worst results and formally failed the test.

Employees of the Insurance Institute for highway safety noted that in 2017, Ford engineers increased the driver's side of the crossover, but the passenger isn't half changed. It is easy to guess that this has led to very unfortunate results. In a new crash test IIHS the "Kuga" greatly hesitated front of the roof that is eloquent testimony that the vehicle did not pass the tests, and potential injuries of dummies-passengers exceeded the permissible limits.

Equally disturbing signal was not triggered the side airbags. It is noteworthy that not "shot" it in the case of Mitsubishi ASX/Outlander Sport. In the end, the results of the Japanese crossover was rated as "marginal," and Ford Kuga/Escape spoke frankly "bad." All the other participants in the test received a rating of "good."

It is possible that the failure of the Ford Kuga/Escape is associated with the preparation of the next generation: now the company is developing a new car, so she doesn't want to spend time and money on an already existing model. However, this factor is not an excuse for such negligent conduct of Ford engineers. The situation is aggravated by the fact that they knew about the problem because the driver's side of the body was reinforced in 2017. In the end, if the left upper hinge of the front door, goes back to 12.7 cm, on the right — from 25.4 cm