Yeah, they key words there being "Insurance Institute". Sounds like another
excuse to charge higher premiums for SUV owners. Funny how the NHTSA
(Nation Highway Traffic Safety Administration) which is a branch of the US
Department of Transportation gave the 2003 Element 5 stars for the driver's
side impact. That's a better rating than the 2003 Accord which got 4 stars.

The only score worthy of concern was the rollover test where it got 3 stars.
But come on, it's a SUV, drive it with that in mind and rollover is not a
problem.

If you really want safety though, then get the CR-V. It got 5 stars for
both frontal driver and passenger collision and 5 stars for driver and rear
side impact. It's also got 3 stars rollover but as I said above, it's an
SUV. Drive it properly and this won't be a problem.

"Tim" <anon@anonymous.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1a902e7bb283f5dd989682@news.comcast.gigan ews.com...
> The Honda Element EX received a grade of "poor" on the side impact
> test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
>
> "DRIVER ... major torso injuries would be likely ... Serious neck
> injury also would be possible."
>
> Here is the URL:
>
> http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle%5Fr...side/s0308.htm
>
> The IIHS Report notes that the tests were conducted *without* the
> optional side-impact air bags:
>
> "NOTE: The Element tested was not equipped with the optional side
> airbags. When side airbags are optional, the Institute tests
> vehicles without this option. If a manufacturer offering optional
> side airbags requests the Institute to conduct an additional test
> of a vehicle with this option and agrees to reimburse the cost of
> the vehicle, a second test is conducted. Honda did not request
> such a test."
>
> Why did Honda not request that the test be conducted again WITH
> the air bags? It makes me wonder whether the side airbags are
> really effective in protecting the driver. A company that promotes
> an image of its cars as being among the safest on the road ought
> to take steps to improve the vehicle's safety, or demonstrate that
> it IS safe when the airbags are installed.
>
> Wanting to buy an Element, but waiting....
>
> Tim
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