NEW CRASH TEST RESULTS:
5 OF 6 MIDSIZE CARS EARN LOW RATINGS
IN 5 MPH CRASHES TO TEST THE BUMPERS

2004 Mitsubishi Galant

Five of six new midsize cars earned poor or marginal ratings in low-speed crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Only one model, the Mitsubishi Galant, earned the second highest rating of acceptable. The Suzuki Verona, Nissan Maxima, and Acura TL are rated marginal. The Chevrolet Malibu and Acura TSX earned the lowest rating of poor. All six cars are 2004 models.

"These midsize models range from inexpensive to luxury, but all but one of them share bumpers that don't bump," says Adrian Lund, Institute chief operating officer. "Poor bumper design hits consumers in their pocketbooks, and it's an inconvenience because a vehicle will have to be in the shop for several days or more to repair the damage."

The Institute's series of four bumper tests includes front- and rear-into-flat-barrier plus front-into-angle-barrier and rear-into-pole. These tests assess how well bumpers can prevent damage in 5 mph collisions simulating the fender-bender impacts that are common in commuter traffic and parking lots. A good bumper system should absorb the energy of these minor impacts and protect expensive body panels, headlamp systems, and other components from damage.

Acura TSX and Chevrolet Malibu are worst: The TSX sustained the heaviest damage in the rear-into-pole test because the bumper was too weak to protect the car body.

"The bumper couldn't keep the damage away from the trunk and rear body panel," Lund says. "The lid alone cost more than $500 to straighten and refinish. The bumper is supposed to take the hit so the car's fenders and body don't have to."

Another problem is that the TSX's bumpers are nearly flush against the body -- a design favored by some automotive stylists.

"That design may please the styling department, but it's terrible for consumers because it puts expensive sheet metal and safety components such as the headlamps closer to the point of impact in a routine fender-bender."

The Malibu sustained more than $1,300 damage in the front-into-angle-barrier test because the bumper cover tore, the body was driven out of line, and the right fender buckled.

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