What cars have side impact airbags?
Side impact airbags are a crucial safety feature designed to protect passengers during side collisions. Over the years, they have become increasingly common in vehicles, offering enhanced protection for both drivers and passengers. In this article, we’ll explore which cars typically come equipped with side impact airbags and why they are an essential feature for modern vehicles.
Understanding Side Impact Airbags
Side impact airbags are designed to deploy from the side of the seat or door panel during a collision, cushioning the torso, pelvis, and sometimes the head of the occupants. These airbags significantly reduce the risk of severe injuries in side-impact crashes, which are particularly dangerous due to the limited crumple zones on the sides of vehicles.
Which Cars Are Equipped with Side Impact Airbags?
Side impact airbags are now a standard or optional feature in many vehicles across various manufacturers. Here’s a breakdown of the types of cars that typically include this safety feature:
- Luxury Vehicles: High-end brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, and Lexus often include side impact airbags as a standard feature in their models. These manufacturers prioritize advanced safety technologies.
- Mid-Range Sedans and SUVs: Popular models from brands like Toyota, Honda, Ford, and Hyundai frequently offer side impact airbags, especially in their newer models or higher trims.
- Compact Cars: Many compact cars, such as the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Volkswagen Golf, now include side impact airbags as part of their standard safety packages.
- Electric and Hybrid Vehicles: Cars like the Tesla Model 3, Nissan Leaf, and Toyota Prius often come equipped with side impact airbags, reflecting the industry-wide push for safety in eco-friendly vehicles.
How to Check if Your Car Has Side Impact Airbags
If you’re unsure whether your car is equipped with side impact airbags, here are some steps you can take:
- Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual, which will list all the safety features included in your car.
- Look for labels or markings on the side of the seats or door panels, as manufacturers often indicate the presence of airbags with tags or symbols.
- Contact your dealership or manufacturer with your vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) to confirm the safety features.
Why Side Impact Airbags Are Important
Side impact collisions account for a significant percentage of traffic fatalities due to the limited structural protection on the sides of vehicles. Side impact airbags provide an additional layer of safety, reducing the risk of severe injuries to the chest, abdomen, and head. Studies have shown that vehicles equipped with side airbags have a lower fatality rate in side-impact crashes compared to those without them.
Conclusion
Side impact airbags are a vital safety feature that has become increasingly common in modern vehicles. Whether you’re shopping for a new car or evaluating the safety features of your current vehicle, it’s essential to prioritize this technology. At Kevin’s Autos, we’re committed to helping you maintain and understand your vehicle’s safety systems. If you have questions about your car’s safety features or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to us!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to drive with side airbags deployed?
There is no law preventing you from driving your car after airbags deploy, but this is not advisable. It is important for your safety to have your car checked for damage and your airbags replaced by an authorized service technician before driving the vehicle.
Which cars have side curtain airbags?
ANCAP lauds third-row airbag benefits, issues five-star results to cars without them
| Make/Model | Third-Row Curtain Airbag | ANCAP Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SsangYong Rexton | Yes | - |
| Toyota Kluger | Yes | Five-star (2021) |
| Toyota Prius V | Yes | Five-star (2015) |
| Volkswagen Caddy Life | Yes | Five-star (2021) |
What is the safest car in side impact?
The safest cars in side impact collisions include the Volvo XC90, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Subaru Legacy, and Mazda 6. What are the worst-performing cars in head-on collisions? The worst-performing cars in head-on collisions include the Chevrolet Spark, Mitsubishi Mirage, Kia Rio, Nissan Versa, and Hyundai Accent.
What are side impact airbags called?
Side torso airbag
Side-impact airbags or side-torso airbags are a category of airbags usually located in the seat or door panel, and inflate between the seat occupant and the door. These airbags are designed to reduce the risk of injury to the pelvic and lower abdomen regions.
Do all cars have side impact airbags?
Vehicles can be equipped with both front and side air bags. Frontal air bags have been standard equipment in all passenger vehicles since the late 1990s. Side air bags are being offered as standard or optional equipment on many new passenger vehicles.
Is a car totaled if the side curtain airbags deploy?
Airbags deploying alone will not necessarily render a car totaled. Generally, a vehicle could only be considered totaled if the cost of repairing the vehicle will exceed the value of the vehicle.
Is a car totalled if side airbags deploy?
Airbags deploying alone will not necessarily render a car totaled. Generally, a vehicle could only be considered totaled if the cost of repairing the vehicle will exceed the value of the vehicle.
What is the #1 safest car?
a day ago
1. Volvo – Volvo leads the automotive industry in balancing AI-boosted crash protection and protective vehicle design. 2. Toyota/Lexus – Toyota and Lexus rank high in terms of safety, reliability, and technological integration.
Why are side impact airbags so valuable?
While not mandatory or required, side air bags are known to provide extra safety and security in the event that you are in a car accident, while also helping to minimize any injuries that are sustained when the front airbags are deployed.
How hard does a car have to be hit to deploy side airbags?
Deployment thresholds can be as low as 8 mph for narrow object crashes (e.g., trees and poles) and 18 mph for the more widely distributed side impacts (vehicle-to-vehicle crashes). Side airbags also deploy in certain types of frontal crashes.
