So I wonder what Acura did that made some of the IIHS tests not do as well as they did on the Accord sedan, it is essentially same car. The Accord got Good in every category and test except for Acceptable in the Safety cage and Child seat anchors, yet the TLX only got Acceptable in small overlap because in that test the lower left foot/leg was marginal and the safety cage was same as Accord, Acceptable. Very surprising because Acura and Honda usually excel at the crash tests.

 

Car is not a panel for panel match with the Accord so there is no reason to think they would get the exact same results in a crash test. Acura claims the TLX has the least panel commonality with the Accord so far. Different panel shapes will have different crush results.

 

True, but the small overlap is more about the safety cage and structure.

 

Actually I believe in this particular case, the V6 version they tested, the 18" rims shatter. The shrapnel then intrudes into the cabin. They don't specifically say that on this page but I've seen it on others, and if you watch the video, it looks like that's what is happening.

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/veh...oor-sedan/2015

 

It is a single test of a single car. There will be variability in the test. Even a few G's difference in the crash test dummy can make a difference in how the test is judged.

 

If you look at the still pics they post the lower left part of the firewall caves into the cabin pushing the foot/leg into a position that I suspect would break some bones. Either way the occupant held up very well overall. I suspect on next redesign or MMC they might enforce that area to do better.

 

Yeah, Honda is usually pretty good about improving things safety wise. I bet they'll redesign that area too.

 

Acura has become the first luxury brand to earn a 2015 TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating for its entire model line from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The IIHS announced today that the significantly refreshed 2016 ILX and 2016 RDX have each received a 2015 TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating, when equipped with AcuraWatch™, resulting in the entire Acura lineup of luxury sedans and SUVs earning the safety distinction.

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Acura Becomes First Luxury Brand to Earn 2015 TOP SAFETY PICK+ Rating Across its Entire Model Line from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) - Acura News