The deep and full-of-bravado voice on the Chevy Silverado and Dodge Ram commercials is used to lead people to believe that it is a tough vehicle built for working, hauling and being generally macho. Those two 2009s models along with the Nissan Titan have recently received marks on side crash tests that make you realize there is a lot more bark than bite.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, an independent scientific and educational organization (supported by insurance companies) conducted the side crash tests. All three vehicles tested between marginal and poor. In the case of the Silverado and the Titan, there are optional side airbags. Without those bags, they both earned a Poor rating. Then, when the side airbags are added, only the Titan improved (to a Marginal rating). The Silverado still stayed at Poor.
These tests prove, though not in a legal setting, that the marketing campaign for these trucks is false. If a person is in the vehicle (and haven’t done their homework) they are automatically going to feel safe. Elevated above a lot of other vehicles on the road, the roar of the engine, the advertisement planted firmly in the memory banks…all signs point to feeling safe. But according to the Institute’s senior V.P. the occupants are not as safe as other trucks in their class. The Toyota Tundra, Honda Ridgeline and Ford F-150 all have better marks when it comes to side crash tests, so are therefore higher up in the overall safety classification. The low test marks on the Silverado, Titan and Ram don’t make sense when looking at their marks on front, rear and side testing (each test has certain criteria).
Looking at the safety rating is very important when it comes to buying a new (or new to you) vehicle. Advertisers have their job, to sell the product, it is the consumer’s job to make sure that what they offer is on the level.
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