2008 Silverado/Sierra earn 5-star side impact ratings

[Flybrian]

2008 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra 1500 Series Trucks Only Full-Size Pickups With Top Five-Star Side-Impact Safety Rating

DETROIT, Mich. - The 2008 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 Series pickup trucks have received the federal government's highest side-impact crash rating - five stars - making Silverado and Sierra the industry's only full-size pickups to earn this top rating.

Silverado and Sierra 1500 Series Regular Cab, Extended Cab and Crew Cab models all received the highest possible side-impact rating for models tested with and without available head curtain side-impact air bags. The Silverado and Sierra previously received the federal government's highest frontal crash test rating of five stars. Government star ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA's) New Car Assessment Program (www.safercar.gov).

"Customers continue to rank safety higher on their lists for new vehicle purchases and that helped us make safety before, during, and after a crash among our chief priorities when we redesigned the all-new Silverado and Sierra pickups for the 2007 model year," said Gary A. White, GM vice president and vehicle line executive for full-size trucks.

"The industry-leading safety attributes of these pickups add to their well-deserved and longstanding reputation for dependability and durability, the hallmarks of a great pickup truck."

Silverado and Sierra deliver 360 degrees of crash protection through a stronger frame and body structure as well as industry- and segment-leading technology. They are also designed to provide increased compatibility with other vehicles. Features include segment-first StabiliTrak electronic stability control with rollover mitigation technology; available roof-mounted rollover-capable head curtain side air bags, which are integrated into strengthened chassis and body structures to provide excellent passenger protection; and segment-first safety belt pretensioners that activate during a rear impact. The rollover-capable head curtain side air bags are available on Silverado LT and LTZ and Sierra SLE and SLT models; they are standard on Sierra Denali models.

[Intrepidation]

And Toyota can't even get 5 stars in the frontal crash tests

[regfootball]

well, that's because they are inferior and don't even have boxed frames, assuming the turds engine didn't explode or sludge up already.

Edited September 26, 2007 by regfootball

[enzl]

*No other fullsizers have been similarly tested (for side impacts)

Which kind of makes the claims a little disingenuous....It's the only X in a class of 1.

[K.C.]

Great job GM! I wonder how other full sizers will do!

[drew770]

I am sure no one will hear of this because GM has the worst advertising in the world!!!

This is a great accomplishment and GM could really force the issue of safety to bet back Toyota. But all we get is commericals that show a truck driving through the woods rolling over rocks and logs!!!

[I hope GMRULES again]

Cool! First time I've heard of a vehicle getting 5 stars without SAB's.

[GXT]

Cool! First time I've heard of a vehicle getting 5 stars without SAB's.

I thought it was pretty impressive as well. But it sounds like it is relatively easy for pickups to do. The 2008 Dodge Dakota Extended Cab, 2008 Dodge Dakota 4DR, and 2008 Ford Ranger all get 5 stars side impact without side air bags.

http://www.safercar.gov/Index2.cfm?myClass...n=View+2008+PUs

[GXT]

I am sure no one will hear of this because GM has the worst advertising in the world!!!

This is a great accomplishment and GM could really force the issue of safety to bet back Toyota. But all we get is commericals that show a truck driving through the woods rolling over rocks and logs!!!

It probably won't be widely covered because the uniqueness of the acheivement is more in the word games of the PR than in the actual safety. It is a good result, but truth (if there is such a thing in advertising) would result in GM advertising that they offer equivalent safety to their competitors.

Pickups do very well in the NHTSA test.

http://www.safercar.gov/Index2.cfm?myClass...n=View+2008+PUs

[pow]

Side airbags aren't necessary for the NHTSA side test because they don't measure/account for head injuries. The IIHS side test is much tougher (higher barrier, heavier, faster, more advanced dummies, accounts for structural performance).

Edited September 27, 2007 by empowah

[K.C.]

Side curtain air bags may not, but thorax bags do help some models. I'm impressed that the Sierra/Silverado got the 5 star rating without the thorax side bags.

[ponchoman49]

Now they just need to expand those 6 speed automatics into the 1500 series right now to make it competitive that way with the Turdra. It beets it in most other ways, why not in every way possible.

[PurdueGuy]

Now they just need to expand those 6 speed automatics into the 1500 series right now to make it competitive that way with the Turdra. It beets it in most other ways, why not in every way possible.

While certainly a good idea, they can only produce so many, so fast. The way some people act on this site, the moment GM produced one 6-speed auto, every GM vehicle should have had it. It doesn't work that way.

[Z-06]

Toyota is bolstering the Turd mules that are going to be sent to the Crash Testing so that it gets 5*. Does it sound familiar?

[Robert Hall]

I wonder how they fare in rollovers, though...rollovers seem to be the weakest area with full size trucks..the roofs tend to collapse due to the obesity of the body/chassis..

[Z-06]

I wonder how they fare in rollovers, though...rollovers seem to be the weakest area with full size trucks..the roofs tend to collapse due to the obesity of the body/chassis..

With Stability Control standard on most of the models except I think the LS Extended Cab model and the Single Cab model, I think they will generally fair better.