Ford Fusion and Edge Up Safety Standards for IIHS

The Ford Fusion midsize car and Ford Edge midsize SUV earn the highest rating of good in front and side crash tests recently conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Edge also earns a good rating for rear crash protection, so it wins the Institute's 2007 TOP SAFETY PICK award. This award recognizes cars and SUVs in each class that afford the best overall crash protection. The similar Lincoln MKX, luxe brother to Edge and also a midsize SUV, also wins TOP SAFETY PICK.

To qualify for TOP SAFETY PICK, vehicles must earn the highest rating of good in all three Institute tests (front, side, and rear) and be equipped with electronic stability control (ESC). This is a standard feature on both the Edge and the MKX. Award criteria were tightened for 2007 to include ESC because research shows it can prevent many single-vehicle crashes and rollovers.

Initially only 13 cars, minivans, and SUVs qualified for 2007 awards. As automakers introduce new models or make safety changes to existing ones, the Institute adds TOP SAFETY PICK winners throughout the year. With the addition of the Edge and MKX, consumers now may choose among nine SUVs offering superior crash protection. The award applies to Edge and MKX models built after January 2007 when Ford modified the head restraints to improve rear crash protection.

Changes to Fusion result in better ratings
Last year the Institute first tested 2006 and early-production 2007 model Fusions. After making changes to improve both front and side crashworthiness, Ford asked the Institute to test this car again. In the new tests, the ratings for front and side protection improved to good. However, the Fusion doesn't win TOP SAFETY PICK because it's rated marginal for rear crash protection and ESC isn't available.

In the 2006 frontal offset test, the Fusion earned an acceptable rating because of high forces recorded on the driver dummy's right leg. Plus a steel pin in the dummy's ankle broke. Ford strengthened the Fusion's floorpan and modified a heel rest on the floor to improve protection of the right leg in frontal crashes. In the new test, right leg protection has improved. Although moderately high forces indicate the possibility of neck injury, Fusions built after January 2007 earn a good overall frontal rating, which also applies to the Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ.

In side impact tests, the 2006 Fusion was rated poor without its side airbags, which then were optional. When equipped with the side airbags, an early-production 2007 car was rated acceptable. Injury measures indicated that a fracture of the pelvis would be possible in a real-world crash of this severity.

Side airbags have been upgraded to standard equipment in all 2007 Fusions, and Ford has changed the interior door trim to improve side impact protection in Fusions built later in the 2007 model year. In the new test with these changes, the Fusion improves to good. This rating applies to Fusions built after January 2007 and to Mercury Milans but not to Lincoln MKZs because they don't have the same door trim design. The MKZ retains the earlier side rating of acceptable.

"The Fusion is one of only eight midsize moderately priced car designs that earn good ratings for both front and side crash protection," Lund said. "As new car designs are introduced, they typically outperform the predecessor designs in terms of side protection, in large part because auto manufacturers are rapidly making side airbags standard features."

Click here to read RTM's review of the 2007 Ford Edge

(Source: IIHS)