Minivan bumper tests show potential impact to your wallet

Bumpers don't bump well on the latest minivans, according to a recent test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Institute tested six minivans and found that the front and rear bumpers sustained from $5,000 to as much as $8,000 worth of damage in a series of four impacts. The tests included running each bumper directly into a barrier at 6 mph, as well as striking the  corner of each bumper at 3 mph.

Even though it is conducted at a higher speed, the flat barrier test should be easier to pass, according to IIHS, because the impact is spread over the full length of the bumper. Nevertheless, in the rear full-width test, the tailgate was bent and had to be replaced on both the Nissan Quest and the Toyota Sienna. The tail gates of the Dodge Grand Caravan, Honda Odyssey,and Kia Sedona had more minor damage and could be repaired.  The Chevrolet Uplander did not sustain damage in this test. The Quest also fared poorly in the front full-width test, the only minivan to sustain damage to its hood in that test.

In the corner tests, all the minivans, except the Chevrolet Uplander and the Toyota Sienna, sustained damage to their headlights—expensive assemblies to repair.

The Nissan Quest sustained the most damage, overall, a total of $8,102 in the four tests. The Honda Odyssey performed the best, with $5,258 in damage.

Vehicle repair costs

• $5,258     Honda Odyssey 
• $5,495     Dodge Grand Caravan
• $5,726     Toyota Sienna
• $5,799     Chevrolet Uplander
• $6,525     Kia Sedona
• $8,102     Nissan Quest

None of the minivans are among the worst performers the Institute has subjected to its bumper tests. On average, the minivans' bumpers ride about an inch higher than those of passenger cars, so they're less likely to underride the bumpers of other cars than smaller cars are.

These tests don't indicate a safety problem with the minivans, but they do reveal how minor parking lot impacts can hit consumers in the pocketbook.

—Eric Evarts

See how vehicles performance IIHS crash tests, by choosing from over 200 videos.

Comments

[Ron Russell]

Why do they call them bumpers?