Toyota Prius

Test details:

The Toyota Prius was redesigned for the 2010 model year. As in earlier models, the Prius is a hybrid with both a gasoline engine and electric motor. A Prius Plug-in model was introduced in the 2012 model year. This variant also uses a gasoline engine and electric motor, but the motor's lithium-ion battery can be charged by connecting it with an electrical cord to a standard household outlet. The Plug-in is designed to operate primarily in electric mode for 11 miles from a full charge, achieving the equivalent of 95 mpg. Beyond this range, it operates in the same manner as the standard Prius and achieves an EPA rating of 51 mpg city and 49 mpg highway.

Two tests of the Prius were conducted, the first by Toyota of a 2010 Prius as part of frontal crash test verification and the second by the Institute of a 2012 Prius Plug-in. Ratings are based on both tests and apply to both Prius variants. Vehicle specifications are provided for the 2010 Prius from the Toyota test and photos are provided from the Institute's test of the 2012 Prius Plug-in.

Restraints/dummy kinematics — Dummy movement was well controlled in both tests. During rebound, the dummy's head hit the B-pillar in the 2010 model and the roof rail in the 2012 model.

Injury measures — In both tests, measures taken from the neck, chest, and both legs indicate low risk of injuries to these body regions in a crash of this severity. Measures of dummy head acceleration in the two tests, taken together, indicate that head injuries would be possible when the head hit the steering wheel through the airbag. Head accelerations from the B-pillar hit in the first test and the roof rail hit in the second test were low.