Original side
Discontinued test
The side test represents a T-bone crash in which a typical SUV smashes into the driver side of another vehicle. This was the original version of the test.
How the test was run
- A 3,300-pound striking rig with a deformable honeycomb surface and the approximate height of an SUV hit the driver side of the test vehicle at 31 mph.
- A SID-IIs dummy the size of a small woman or 12-year-old child was belted in the driver seat, and another was belted in the second row behind the driver.
How vehicles were evaluated
- We measured intrusion into the occupant compartment at key locations.
- Sensors in the head, neck, torso and pelvis of the dummies recorded injury risk.
- High-speed film and greasepaint helped us see whether the dummies’ heads contacted or came near any hard parts of the vehicle or the barrier. If the vehicle’s airbags and seat belts performed correctly, the only place the paint would end up would be on the airbags.
Why we stopped conducting this test
An updated version of the test was introduced in 2021, and the original version was phased out.
Original side test protocol and technical information
For details on other current and discontinued tests, visit the About our tests page.