Buick Envision Earns Top IIHS Safety Award

A Prestigious Safety Award

The 2016 and 2017 models of the Buick Envision recently received a coveted Top Safety Pick Plus award from the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety (the “IIHS”). The IIHS bestowed the designation after performing a series of five crash tests directed towards ascertaining the ability of the vehicle’s roof, head restraints, seats, front and sides to withstand impacts.

The Buick Envision, a sport utility vehicle (SUV), already carries a safety rating awarded to it by the Institute for its well-engineered front crash prevention system, an optional feature for both model years. The latest test results will likely contribute to the brand’s safety reputation.

Passing Five Crash Tests

The IIHS publishes the results of the safety crash tests for consumers. The organization offers detailed safety information about the testing procedures and the condition of different parts of the tested vehicles following a collision. The first ever Buck Envision scored well in all five tests.

An Illustration: Evaluating Frontal Crashes

For instance, during the frontal crash tests, the IIHS evaluates the most common variety of auto accident producing fatalities. The testing agency performs two separate experiments designed to assess this serious accident scenario:

Replicating Head-On Vehicle Collisions

In the “moderate overlap test”, the IIHS arranges for a vehicle to collide with a 2 foot tall honeycomb barrier at a speed of 40 miles per hour. Some 40% of the total width of the vehicle will impact the barrier on the driver’s side, where a crash dummy occupies the driver’s seat. This test mimics a head-on frontal collision involving vehicles of equal weight. Measurements taken from the crash dummy indicated the Envision provided a “low risk” of significant injuries in this situation. Cabin strength and air bag support contributed to the SUV’s safety.

Replicating Vehicle Head-On Collisions With Trees

To mimic an auto careening into a tree or a utility pole, the IIHS directs a test vehicle at a speed of 40 mph into a 5-ft tall barrier, arranging for 25% of the total width to sustain impact on the driver’s side. This “small overlap” test also duplicates a common type of fatal accident. In this situation, although the dummy’s head tipped forward to hit the steering wheel, the deploying air bag once again provided a “low risk” of significant injuries.

An Important Award

The IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus award testifies to the skill of the Buick Envision’s design team. It represents a significant safety accolade in today’s competitive SUV marketplace!