3rd gen safety concern

5 star rating for safety. That should mean something.

SCH-I535 ? 2

 

As a volunteer EMT that has responded to a few car wrecks maybe I can lend some perspective.

First, don't keep anything in the cargo area of the Prius that you wouldn't want to occupy the same space as the rear seat after an accident. Also don't load the cargo area higher than the rear seats unless you think you head would be more functional if it weren't attached to your body.

Second, all cars are designed to be the safest if they are hit in a certain area. For example the center of the front bumper directly behind the license plate, and the rear bumper below the rear license plate. Also the middle of the side doors where the door beams are located. If the Prius, or any other vehicle for that matter, is hit outside these areas then their safety effectiveness decreases dramatically.

In an SUV, in most cases you are "higher than the accident".

In a small car, during a side impact from a larger vehicle like an suv for example, the full energy of that vehicle is going to come in above the door beam and hit you in the shoulder. And then the seat belt will hold you in place as your upper body absorbs most of the impact.

In my experience, SUV/truck vs car usually means less injuries in the truck and more in the car. It's just a matter of physics and the focal points of the energy.

But above all else, keep the kids in a rear facing seat until they are to big to do so. You want to keep them rear facing for as long as you can.

Also keep in mind most LATCH anchors have a max weight limit of around 40lbs before you need to switch to using the seat belt to hold the seat in place.

Everyone here loves a Prius, but safety trumps fuel efficiency every time.

Maybe once the price of Jet-A comes down we can all score a group buy on some used Abrams tanks.

 

I really liked your post. The problem is, at least from my perspective is unless you are getting a large suv, i.e. toyota sequoia, tahoe/yukon/escalade or expedition, anything you hope to get out a of a midsized suv, like a jeep grand cherokee, lincoln mkx or a toyota 4 runner is basically worthless. if a tahoe comes crashing into a midsize suv, wouldn't the same problems be true as an suv hitting a sedan/car?

 

I am still on the fence about this issue. I am keeping my eye on the posts though. I really love the previous generation Lincoln MKX midsize suv. It's basically a Ford Edge with Lincoln luxuries. Gets 17 in city 24 on highway.

 

The mileage stinks though. I do so much driving. Around 15,ooo+ miles per year. That's why I got the Prius, but I am nervous about safety. Maybe I just need a larger sedan to feel better? Like a Honda accord? Any thoughts? Do you think a larger sedan, like a Accord is safer than a Prius?

 

funny, i've been driving prius for 9 years now, and safety has never been a concern.

 

bisco: do you have kids in the backseat?

 

no, kids were gone by the time prius came along. but i'm not a safety nut like some friends who must drive volvo's while their families are growing. let's see, we started in 1980 with rustbox rabbit, then a '72 dodge sedan, then a chevy wagon, then a minivan until they were in college. i doubt any of those cars were very safe, although most were larger than prius.

 

yeah, again, the larger the car I think it is somehow considered safer.

 

A midsize SUV is going to get you on nearly the same level as a full size one, without the huge hit in fuel economy. I would recommend the Volvo xc90.

Most of the more severe injuries I have seen involving SUVs have been single car accidents, where the driver over corrects and ends up rolling the vehicle.

Also remember that if you live in a snowy area, 4 wheel drive only helps you accelerate. It won't help you corner or stop.

If paying more at the pump makes you feel safer at night then go for it. Just do your homework before you buy a new vehicle.

 

Yeah, I wouldn't necessarily buy new. I do like Volvo a lot. I am worried about their reliability though. On truedelta and many other sites they claim the xc90 is not a reliable vehicle. I have two little kids, hard to be in and out of a dealership and trading cars (loaners) and what not. I love the look of Volvo's though. Recently, I was in a used car dealership (more luxury one) not a Volvo dealership or any particular brand. I saw a Volvo xc70 wagon and opened the door. I was amazed at the quality of the doors. They were incredibly thick and had a huge thunk sound when I closed it. Sounded like a bank vault. Just worried about long term reliability or even short term reliability of it. Thoughts? I do like the xc60 a lot, probably moreso than an xc90 for better fuel economy but they want a TON of money for it.

 

any other small(ish) crossover or suv you can think of that has a great safety record? Also need high reliability. Was thinking a rav4 with the v6?

 

As a lover of station wagons, the Volvo is a great vehicle. I do like the more "rugged" look of the cross country.

I responded to an accident once where the driver of a Volvo wagon walked away from a head on collision with a tri axle dump truck. They are very solid vehicles.

As far as reliability goes, I have known Volvo owners that have put hundreds of thousands of miles on their vehicles. But if it is a concern then spring for the extended warranty.

 

I heard the rav4 got crappy safety ratings.

You ever look into a minivan? We have a sienna and it is a great vehicle.

 

check out truedelta.com or jd power or edmunds, all reputable sites and they all have minor little quirks and things that happen to them. i'm just nervous about a european car. again, hard to find the time to constantly go into the dealership for things that happen.

 

I might look into a mini van. thought about a honda odyssey (used). or a toyota sienna. Not sure they get good crash test results though either.

 

Safety was never really a concern to me in any of the cars that i owned before, I just started worrying recently because my baby will be born soon.

 

Yeah. I have two, a 6 year old and 2 year old. I've always been worried about them since they were born. I had a used 97 BMW 5 series when they were first born. Then I got a hand-me-down chrysler 300m, then that died, leased a subaru legacy (for safety) turned out to be a pretty poor car and then the Prius. I am reconsidering my Prius purchase though. I do like the car, but I am worried about the kids.

 

2013 Chevrolet Suburban Safety | U.S. News Best Cars

Suburban is 5 star rates for front and side. Any SUV is going to be less in the rollover however.

 

+ 1
My thoughts exactly!