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2015 Ford Edge nabs Top Safety Pick award in IIHS crash test [w/video]

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The updated 2015 Ford Edge received praise in Autoblog's First Drive and Quick Spin, but now the model has also earned strong enough scores to garner Top Safety Pick status from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The crossover achieved the agency's Good score in the moderate-overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraints categories. However, in the difficult small-overlap front crash test, the CUV was Acceptable – one notch lower in the hierarchy.

The Edge also just missed out on the TSP+ award. While its scores would have been enough to qualify, the CUV's optional front crash prevention system didn't include automatic braking. That only got the model a Basic rating in the category. It needed an Advanced or Superior designation.

The IIHS still found things to praise about the Edge's small-overlap crash performance, despite the Acceptable score. The agency cited a low risk of serious injuries, and the airbags did a good job of protecting the driver. A problem was that the seatbelt let the dummy's head and torso "move too far forward toward the intruding A-pillar," according to the institute''s release. For 2016, things gets even harder because a Good result in this evaluation is necessary for Top Safety Pick status. You can check out how the Edge does for yourself in the video, below.
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Redesigned Ford Edge earns TOP SAFETY PICK award

ARLINGTON, Va. — The redesigned 2015 Ford Edge qualifies for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's TOP SAFETY PICK award, thanks to good ratings for crash protection in 4 of 5 IIHS evaluations and an acceptable rating in the challenging small overlap front crash test. The midsize SUV has an optional basic-rated front crash prevention system.

This is the first time the Institute has evaluated the Edge in the small overlap front test. Like the previous generation of the Edge, the 2015 model earns good ratings for occupant protection in the moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint evaluations.

Ford reinforced the door-hinge pillar on models built after May 2015 to improve occupant protection in small overlap front crashes. The driver space held up reasonably well in the small overlap test, with maximum intrusion of 5 inches in the driver's seating space measured at the upper hinge pillar.

The dummy's movement was reasonably controlled. The head was largely protected by the frontal and side curtain airbags, but the safety belt allowed the head and torso to move too far forward toward the intruding A-pillar. Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.

To qualify for a 2015 TOP SAFETY PICK, vehicles must earn good ratings in the moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests, plus a good or acceptable rating in the small overlap test. For TOP SAFETY PICK+, vehicles also need an available front crash system with an advanced or superior rating. The Edge doesn't qualify for the "plus" award because it doesn't have a front crash prevention system equipped with automatic braking.

The Institute plans to raise the bar to earn a 2016 TOP SAFETY PICK, requiring a good small overlap rating. Vehicles with an acceptable rating such as the Edge will need further improvements to qualify for the 2016 honor.

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