2015 Chevy Sonic Named IIHS Top Safety Pick
After undergoing some structural changes, the 2015 Chevy Sonic has been named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
This applies to both the sedan and hatchback, built after February of 2015. The previous 2014 car’s score of “marginal” in the small overlap test was holding it back from Top Safety Pick status, but the updated Sonic receives a “good” rating in every category.
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The IIHS says that the driver’s space was maintained reasonably well in the small overlap crash, with maximum intrusion sitting at four inches at the footrest and footwell. Measurements from the dummy showed that significant injuries in a crash of this severity would be unlikely.
Small overlap testing is conducted by crashing the vehicle into a 5-foot-tall rigid barrier with 25 percent of its overall width overlapping the barrier.
Overall dummy movement was well controlled, with the head contacting the front airbag directly and staying there until rebound.
The Sonic also earned a “basic” rating for its optional forward collision warning system.
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Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>
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IIHS naming this Top Safety Pick says a lot about the credibility of IIHS. IIHS will never be NHTSA.