The new Honda Pilot has received a five-star overall crashworthiness rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Redesigned for the 2016 model year, the crossover received a four-star rating in the 35 mph frontal barrier impact test. Driver protections received five stars, however the passenger received four stars with much higher forces measured on the left and right femurs.
All side-crash tests resulted in five-star ratings, including side-barrier and side-pole impacts. The high-riding model received four stars in the rollover trial, with no tip in the dynamic test and an estimated 16.4 percent chance of rollover in the government’s theoretical evasive-maneuver scenario.
The revamped three-row SUV earlier this year received Top Safety Pick+ honors from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. ‘Good’ ratings were achieved in all trials, including the challenging small-overlap crash that is not included in the NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program.
Honda has worked to improve the Pilot’s structure, implementing the Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure and “three-bone” underbody frame to help improve crash-test performance. The boxy previous-generation model had received a ‘poor’ rating in the small-overlap test, which demonstrated a high likelihood of injuries to the left hip and possible injuries to the left knee and lower legs.
“With the addition of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies available through Honda Sensing, no other midsize mainstream SUV on the market today can match the Pilot’s top IIHS and NHTSA safety scores,” said Honda senior VP Jeff Conrad.
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