Insurance Institute Gives Redesigned 2014 Toyota Corolla Only "Marginal" Score On Small Overlap Crash Test

TTAC Staff
by TTAC Staff

Recently, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which conducts its own independent crash testing of new cars, added the “small overlap test” to its rating procedures. That particular crash test simulates a 40 mph collision wherein the front driver side corner of the car strikes an oncoming car or a fixed object like a utility or light pole. Twenty five percent of highway deaths in head-on collisions are from that type of wreck. The IIHS yesterday released test results for the newly redesigned 2014 Toyota Corolla and the compact sedan only received a “marginal” score. According to Automotive News, the Corolla cannot earn the institute’s Top Safety Pick honors, which are restricted to cars that have “acceptable” or “good” scores on all crash tests.

Since the small overlap crash procedure was implemented last year, Toyota products have fared poorly. The 2013 Camry, Prius V hybrid and RAV4 crossover all earned a “poor” rating. When the IIHS only included traditional front, side and rollover testing in their ratings, Toyota typically has done well, with 21 of their models earning the Top Safety Pick honors for the 2013 model year.

In a statement a Toyota spokesman said that the company is devoted to safety but also questioned whether the new test accurately reflects real world conditions. “When all-new crash tests are introduced by the [IIHS], we need to be confident that the changes needed to accommodate the tests will enhance overall safety in real world crashes,” Toyota spokesman John Hanson said. “Toyota is committed to responding to this challenge as stridently as it has in the past, when met with more demanding and evolving vehicle performance criteria.”

In August, the 2014 Scion tC received an “acceptable” rating in the offset test, but the Corolla results may indicate that the company has work to do on other models. The Corolla’s “marginal” ranking was because the corner of the car was pushed back into the driver’s area, increasing the probability of leg injuries. Also, the crash test dummy’s head moved to the left in the collision, away from the main air bag, which might result in the driver’s head hitting the A pillar or dashboard. Fortunately, the 2014 Corolla is equipped with side curtain airbags, which protected the dummy’s head.

Look for a review of the 2014 Toyota Corolla here at TTAC early next week.


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  • PolestarBlueCobalt PolestarBlueCobalt on Oct 05, 2013

    Not a surprise that an essentially 10 year old car failed.

  • Tostik Tostik on Nov 15, 2013

    The 11 year old Volvo XC90 just got a 'good' on the small overlap test. Volvo is now 3 for 3 with 'good' scores on this new test--the only car company that's a 100%. Meanwhile, car companies like Toyota/Lexus, VW/Audi, Mercedes, and BMW, continue to struggle with this test - even with recent model cars.

  • The Oracle Well, we’re 3-4 years in with the Telluride and right around the time the long term durability issues start to really take hold. This is sad.
  • CoastieLenn No idea why, but nothing about a 4Runner excites me post-2004. To me, they're peak "try-hard", even above the Wrangler and Gladiator.
  • AZFelix A well earned anniversary.Can they also attend to the Mach-E?
  • Jalop1991 The intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft may not be fully engaged due to suspected improper assembly by the supplier. Over time, partial engagement can cause damage to the intermediate shaft splines. Damaged shaft splines may result in unintended vehicle movement while in Park if the parking brake is not engagedGee, my Chrysler van automatically engages the parking brake when we put it in Park. Do you mean to tell me that the idjits at Kia, and the idjit buyers, couldn't figure out wanting this in THEIR MOST EXPENSIVE VEHICLE????
  • Dukeisduke I've been waiting to see if they were going to do something special for the 60th Anniversary. I was four years old when the Mustang was introduced. I can remember that one of our neighbors bought a '65 coupe (they were all titled as '65 models, even the '64-1/2 cars), and it's the first one I can remember seeing. In the '90s I knew an older gentleman that owned a '64-1/2 model coupe with the 260 V8.
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