OVERALL EVALUATION:
Important: Frontal crash test ratings can be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.
The Toyota RAV4 was redesigned for the 2001 model year. All 2001 and later RAV4 models manufactured after October 2000 include structural and airbag modifications to improve occupant protection in frontal offset crashes (note: information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on or near the driver door). Further structural modifications were made beginning with 2004 models manufactured in January 2004 and later, so these ratings do not apply to the latest models.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has evaluated the crashworthiness of a 2001 RAV4 with the initial structural and airbag modifications in a 40 mph frontal offset crash test into a deformable barrier.
Restraints/dummy kinematics — Dummy movement was well controlled. During rebound, the dummy's head hit the B-pillar.
Injury measures — Measures taken from the neck and chest indicate low risk of injuries to these body regions in a crash of this severity. A high head acceleration occurred when the dummy's head hit the steering wheel through the airbag, indicating that head injuries would be possible. Forces on both tibias indicate that injuries to the lower legs would be possible. Head acceleration from the B-pillar hit was negligible.
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