Safety Ratings for SUV's
Sport utility vehicles are also called high profile vehicles due to their higher road stance. While making it easier for drivers to see in front of them, SUVs have an increased chance of rolling over, which means buyers should check a model's safety rating before making a purchase.
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History
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The first SUVs included models from Land Rover and Jeep, but according to the St. Petersburg Times, the Chevrolet Suburban has the distinction of being America's first SUV as it was introduced in 1935.
Description
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The term SUV has been used to describe different types of vehicles over the years. Today's SUV is sometimes called a crossover sport-utility vehicle, indicating that a car platform underpins the model, instead of the traditional truck platform.
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Ratings
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The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, an independent organization receiving significant funding from auto insurers, publishes safety ratings for all kinds of vehicles, including SUVs. Specific make/model rating information can be found by entering that information on the IIHS site at iihs.org/ratings/default.aspx
Rollover Evaluation
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The IIHS evaluates all cars for their propensity to roll over. Vehicles are assigned a rating of good, acceptable, marginal and poor, based on tests which also involve roof durability.
Other Tests
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The IIHS also evaluates other safety aspects of SUVs, including front and side impact, head restraints, stability control and bumper effectiveness.
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References
Resources
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