The new 2021 Ford Bronco 4-door, a midsize SUV, falls short of an award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety because its head restraints fail to provide good protection against whiplash injuries and its headlights provide inadequate illumination on curves.
To qualify for either of the Institute’s two awards, vehicles must earn good ratings in six IIHS crashworthiness evaluations, including the driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, original side, roof strength and head restraint tests. They must also be available with a front crash prevention system that earns advanced or superior ratings in both the vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations.
The Bronco earns good ratings for five out of six crashworthiness tests. However, it earns a lower rating of acceptable in the head restraint test because the neck of the test dummy was subject to moderate force in a simulated rear-end crash.
IIHS evaluates the geometry of head restraints in passenger vehicles based on the height and backset relative to an average-size male. A restraint should be at least as high as the head's center of gravity, or about 3.5 inches below the top of the head. The backset, or distance behind the head, should be as small as possible. The Bronco meets these criteria. However, in a test simulating a stationary vehicle being struck from behind by a vehicle of the same weight traveling 20 mph, the seat did not provide enough support for the occupant’s head and neck to earn a good rating.
The Bronco’s two available front crash prevention systems also meet the award criteria with superior and advanced ratings in the vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian tests. However, the two available headlight systems fall short.
For the lower-tier Top Safety Pick award, at least one good or acceptable headlight system must be available. For the higher-tier Top Safety Pick+ good or acceptable headlights must be standard across all trims.
Both headlight systems available on the Bronco earn marginal ratings because their low beams do not illuminate the road to a far enough distance on curves.
hahahahahahahahha i thought it was a car from the 80's. Seeing how much damage it did and how it looked. And i was like: oohh that looks normal for such an age. And then the video shot went to the interior.
1 problem with this test. The driver side window was down. The side airbag was pushed out of the window. If this is how they test all cars then it’s fine but otherwise the window should be up.
Great to see that the A pillar didn't fold in. I wished they had shown the footwell. Unfortunately most cars do not have good headlights. Adaptive headlights, on cars so equipped, are great as far as turning on brights when possible and following the steering wheel; some need to be brighter though.
Interesting that Ford failed to pass these tests considering it's a brand new design and Ford knew what the design specs were going in. Just shows me that Ford still doesn't care about the safety of their customers. Can you say Pinto
This is a message to everyone. Death rates for car crashes are skyrocketing. Just because you drive a "safe" car, doesn't mean you have the right to drive like an idiot.
02:025573
Full ratings from this morning's press release:
The new 2021 Ford Bronco 4-door, a midsize SUV, falls short of an award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety because its head restraints fail to provide good protection against whiplash injuries and its headlights provide inadequate illumination on curves.
To qualify for either of the Institute’s two awards, vehicles must earn good ratings in six IIHS crashworthiness evaluations, including the driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, original side, roof strength and head restraint tests. They must also be available with a front crash prevention system that earns advanced or superior ratings in both the vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations.
The Bronco earns good ratings for five out of six crashworthiness tests. However, it earns a lower rating of acceptable in the head restraint test because the neck of the test dummy was subject to moderate force in a simulated rear-end crash.
IIHS evaluates the geometry of head restraints in passenger vehicles based on the height and backset relative to an average-size male. A restraint should be at least as high as the head's center of gravity, or about 3.5 inches below the top of the head. The backset, or distance behind the head, should be as small as possible. The Bronco meets these criteria. However, in a test simulating a stationary vehicle being struck from behind by a vehicle of the same weight traveling 20 mph, the seat did not provide enough support for the occupant’s head and neck to earn a good rating.
The Bronco’s two available front crash prevention systems also meet the award criteria with superior and advanced ratings in the vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian tests. However, the two available headlight systems fall short.
For the lower-tier Top Safety Pick award, at least one good or acceptable headlight system must be available. For the higher-tier Top Safety Pick+ good or acceptable headlights must be standard across all trims.
Both headlight systems available on the Bronco earn marginal ratings because their low beams do not illuminate the road to a far enough distance on curves.
Bronco safety is good, just don’t wanna hurt my legs though.
And then there’s the wind noise…
Wow customers waiting over a year for theirs but iihs has loads to smash into walls. Nice ford
Proof Ford is actually good:
hahahahahahahahha i thought it was a car from the 80's. Seeing how much damage it did and how it looked. And i was like: oohh that looks normal for such an age. And then the video shot went to the interior.
nice, finally a safe suv
Fastest way to remove your wheel molding trim!
Bless my 2001 PT Cruiser. It's still going strong!
Ford Tough!
That hurt to watch
It's For Safety.
It's For Safety.
It's For Safety.
Breathe in Breathe out.
I would like to see them test the Sasquatch package without the crash bars in front.
1 problem with this test. The driver side window was down. The side airbag was pushed out of the window. If this is how they test all cars then it’s fine but otherwise the window should be up.
partout?
The windshield didn’t even crack, how impressive!
At least it doesn't roll over like the jeeps do.
Wow the way the wheel folded back instead of just going directly back into the cabin. Nice
Well I detest this company but I am actually impressed with the satisfactory crash tests.
Wow it did pretty good
Let’s be honest here, jeeps are getting old
Built to break but keeps em safe !
Impressive. The wrangler is a death trap compared to this.
So you mean a Toyota prius is safer than that shit?
Driver is walking away from that head on collision
FCA: “MOTHERF%#@KER! *throws papers in the air
Geeze! Both hands on the wheel and he still hits the barrier. What a dummy!
Never thought I’d be alive to see this model year of Bronco getting crash tested, but ayyeeeee
Great to see that the A pillar didn't fold in. I wished they had shown the footwell. Unfortunately most cars do not have good headlights. Adaptive headlights, on cars so equipped, are great as far as turning on brights when possible and following the steering wheel; some need to be brighter though.
Reality is pay attention and watch for idiots, that'll really keep you truly safe without all of the latest safety equipment.
saftey ruined car design …
side air bag in the rear doesnt look right… no?
It would be good to see how the Sasquatch package performs. Gotta see how much not having crash bars will effect the safety
Dead
We need better diagonal support from airbag, that corner it's too far
Interesting that Ford failed to pass these tests considering it's a brand new design and Ford knew what the design specs were going in. Just shows me that Ford still doesn't care about the safety of their customers. Can you say Pinto
Excelent
This is a message to everyone. Death rates for car crashes are skyrocketing.
Just because you drive a "safe" car, doesn't mean you have the right to drive like an idiot.
Dang, the windshield didn't even crack…