4Runner ranks low in whiplash protection
- Thread starter Sac State
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
sharp4runr
New member
I think I saw this on Dateline last night. I'll see if I can dig up the clip.
I seem to remember reading about this a few months ago... the problem was that the geometry of the headrest was measured with it all the way down. It wasn't raised to be positioned behind the diver's head. This is because most drivers don't raise the headrest when they buy a vehicle, they just leave it where it was when the vehicle was delivered. Once the headrest was actually raised, it was much safer. Of course, lots of drivers tend to bend forward when they drive, and slouch down, so that tends to minimize the benefits of the headrest, somewhat.
I like my 4Runner for a zillion reasons, and one of them is the seat. Maybe it's just me, but I find the seat especially comfortable and supportive, and I've raised the headrest so that it's in the right spot for me.
I think these types of ratings aren't always representative of the overall safety of the vehicle. It's like the roll-over ratings which were published a month or so ago. The 4Runner didn't do well in them, and I believe that was largely because the side curtain airbags aren't standard, so they didn't test with them. While these are certainly good, and I'm sorry I don't have them on my truck, I have to believe that structural integrity of the passenger cabin, where the roof won't collapse in a roll-over, is more important. Anyway, I believe that the 4Runner is a very safe truck, overall. I wouldn't drive it otherwise. And I drive it... a LOT.
I like my 4Runner for a zillion reasons, and one of them is the seat. Maybe it's just me, but I find the seat especially comfortable and supportive, and I've raised the headrest so that it's in the right spot for me.
I think these types of ratings aren't always representative of the overall safety of the vehicle. It's like the roll-over ratings which were published a month or so ago. The 4Runner didn't do well in them, and I believe that was largely because the side curtain airbags aren't standard, so they didn't test with them. While these are certainly good, and I'm sorry I don't have them on my truck, I have to believe that structural integrity of the passenger cabin, where the roof won't collapse in a roll-over, is more important. Anyway, I believe that the 4Runner is a very safe truck, overall. I wouldn't drive it otherwise. And I drive it... a LOT.
