GMC Terrain Earns Top Safety Pick Ratings

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety releases annual ratings of vehicles by class every year. The GMC Terrain was one of only two midsize sport utility vehicles (SUVs) to win the coveted Top Safety Pick Plus rating. This is the highest safety rating the institute offers to vehicles. The GMC Terrain was awarded this honor for several reasons.

How the Crash Testing Process Works

The crash testing process has been designed to measure the performance of the vehicle during real-world collisions. The process involves five different tests that take the structure of the vehicle and the safety of the driver into account. The first test measures the resistance to moderate front overlap impacts. Two more measure small overlap for the front and sides. The fourth test measures the strength of the roof during a collision. The final test checks the head restraints for the driver. The GMC Terrain scored the highest rating of good in each of these categories. It was one of only two SUVs to score a good rating for the small front overlap impact test.

How the Crash Avoidance Testing Process Works

The GMC Terrain contains a number of crash avoidance systems. These systems constantly scan the area in front of the vehicle in order to determine if an obstacle is approaching. The system then provides a visual and audio warning to drivers in order to prevent the crash. Although a number of vehicles have these systems installed today, the GMC Terrain scored higher than many other SUVs. The testing is based on real-world driving conditions where the collision avoidance system was tested against various obstacles and stationary barriers.

What the Rating Means

The high ratings mean that the GMC Terrain is one of the safest midsize SUVs on the market today. Part of this is because there were design changes. The frame and door panels were able to withstand front impacts. They protected the driver and did not compress into the cabin. Additionally, the head restraints in the Terrain were able to keep the driver in a safe position where the head did not come into contact with the A-pillar or other parts of the vehicle. The positioning of the front airbags also played a part in the high ratings. The GMC Terrain was awarded the Top Safety Pick Plus ratings because of the design and the inclusion of effective crash avoidance systems.

Additional Safety Features

The GMC Terrain has a number of other safety features as well. It contains six airbags. These airbags include seat-mounted side curtain airbags and head curtain airbags for maximum protection during a crash. The Terrain has a rear-mounted camera system that provides a full view of everything behind the SUV. It also has a parking assistance system to avoid low-speed collisions and other accidents while parking.