Something of interest for you crash test junkies. I stumbled upon a Japanese based YouTube video recently. One that was more fascinating (to me) to look at, than the typical IIHC crash test videos.
I had wondered what would happen if a legendary pioneering safety manufacturer SUV such as Volvo, were to crash into an EV SUV. Namely Tesla - since Musk is said to be building the safest EV’s available. Frontal offset collision at which both vehicles are traveling 40 mph.
On paper, both the Model Y and Volvo XC 60 have similar outer dimensions. No doubt, the battery laden Tesla is the heavier vehicle.
Well, I got my answer - in part. I’ll try to summarize the results of the video:
The Volvo crash test dummy absorbed more energy on all the drivers body parts, with the exception being the knees - the Volvo knee bag playing a factor. Both dummies looked really good. The front end of the Tesla crumpled up significantly more than the Volvo. In addition, the Tesla’s drivers side door could be opened easier afterwards than the Volvo. That surprised me. So if being able to physically escape from a wrecked vehicle is a priority, then the Tesla won.
However, if the fact that the Volvo frontal area doesn’t collapse to the extent of the “used up” Tesla, tells me that it MAY perform better at a higher collision speed. If that is your priority, then this is your preferred vehicle.
On a side note, the back seat crash dummies for both vehicles were subjected to higher forces than the front seat ones. The Volvo performance bettered the Tesla.
I’ll let someone else link the YouTube video for anyone interested to draw their own conclusions. As the fuel economy boys say, “Your individual crash test results may vary.”
I had wondered what would happen if a legendary pioneering safety manufacturer SUV such as Volvo, were to crash into an EV SUV. Namely Tesla - since Musk is said to be building the safest EV’s available. Frontal offset collision at which both vehicles are traveling 40 mph.
On paper, both the Model Y and Volvo XC 60 have similar outer dimensions. No doubt, the battery laden Tesla is the heavier vehicle.
Well, I got my answer - in part. I’ll try to summarize the results of the video:
The Volvo crash test dummy absorbed more energy on all the drivers body parts, with the exception being the knees - the Volvo knee bag playing a factor. Both dummies looked really good. The front end of the Tesla crumpled up significantly more than the Volvo. In addition, the Tesla’s drivers side door could be opened easier afterwards than the Volvo. That surprised me. So if being able to physically escape from a wrecked vehicle is a priority, then the Tesla won.
However, if the fact that the Volvo frontal area doesn’t collapse to the extent of the “used up” Tesla, tells me that it MAY perform better at a higher collision speed. If that is your priority, then this is your preferred vehicle.
On a side note, the back seat crash dummies for both vehicles were subjected to higher forces than the front seat ones. The Volvo performance bettered the Tesla.
I’ll let someone else link the YouTube video for anyone interested to draw their own conclusions. As the fuel economy boys say, “Your individual crash test results may vary.”
