The Associated Press (AP) reported that luxury sedans from Lincoln, Nissan's luxury Infiniti arm, Honda's Acura brand, and Cadillac, fared poorly in the latest bumper crash tests by the insurance industry, sustaining more than $1,000 average damage when hit at five miles per hour. The AP further reported that two 2003 sport utility vehicles -- the Mitsubishi Outlander and the Volvo XC90 -- also were rated "poor" in bumper crash tests, citing the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The 2003 Honda Element SUV was the only vehicle of the seven tested that rated "acceptable," sustaining average damage of $537 in the four tests performed. "The large cars we tested might be luxurious in terms of their style and amenities, but their bumpers are anything but luxurious. They don't bump," Adrian Lund, the institute's chief operating officer, said according to AP. The bumpers on the 2002 Acura RL and the 2003 Cadillac CTS failed to protect the body of the car while the front-angle crash broke the housing for a headlight on the 2003 Infiniti Q45, which had to be replaced at a cost of $858. That was nearly twice as much as the same part for the 2003 Lincoln Town Car, which was replaced for $435, AP said. According to AP, Lincoln manufacturer Ford responded that its bumpers meet or exceed government safety standards and also said the institute's tests "may not be representative of the type of damage that occurs in real world situations." In the head-on crash of the Volvo XC90, the front hood raised and the latch jammed, resulting in $774 in repairs, AP said. The entire bumper system had to be replaced after the rear-angle test, at a cost of $2,238. According to AP, Volvo responded that its damage totals were comparable to vehicles in its class and it also listed the XC90's safety features, including side-impact air bags and rollover stability control. The Mitsubishi Outlander, known as the Airtrek in some markets, performed worst in the rear-angle test, sustaining $1,217 in damage. Mitsubishi Motors told AP that the results were inconsistent with the company's own tests and pledged to work with the institute to improve its bumpers.
Luxury Sedans, New SUVs Perform Poorly In Insurers' Crash Tests
More Small Fleet

Why Fleet Managers Are Replacing Departmental Vehicles with Shared Motor Pools
Departmentally assigned vehicles often create hidden costs through underutilization, poor visibility, and increased administrative burden. This white paper explores how shared motor pool strategies help fleets reduce costs, improve accountability, and optimize vehicle utilization.
Read More →
Boosting Last-Mile Fleet Uptime, Safety, and Value with AI Vehicle Inspections
AI-powered inspections are transforming last-mile fleets by replacing manual checks with highly accurate automated scans that detect defects in seconds. By giving fleet operations visibility into the daily condition of their vehicles, you can identify trends over the vehicle’s lifecycle that enable improved procurement decisions, route management, driver training and accountability.
Read More →Report: How AI Is Reshaping Fleet and Field Service Operations
AI is moving beyond the back office and into the driver’s seat of work truck and field service operations. New research shows fleets are using AI to improve predictive maintenance, optimize dispatch and routing, reduce downtime, and boost technician productivity, while also tackling challenges around workforce adoption and data readiness. Discover the trends, technologies, and real-world use cases shaping the future of connected work truck fleets.
Read More →
Five Ways Seat Belts Help Prevent Injuries
There are five ways seat belts protect occupants from injuries, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
Read More →
It’s here: The 2026 Fleet Technology Trends Report
What does AI mean for fleets? Get the answer — and learn other top tech trends.
Read More →
Small Fleets, Big Impact: How Independent Drivers Power Wreaths Across America
Check out how small fleets and independent drivers power Wreaths Across America each December and why their impact matters more than ever.
Read More →
VMS Survey Finds 65% of Small Fleet Managers Run Operations Alone
A new VMS survey shows small fleet managers are stretched thin, with most handling operations solo and eager to adopt digital tools for relief.
Read More →
Tips for Driving Safely on Halloween Night
This video features a reminder from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, urging drivers to prioritize safety this Halloween.
Read More →
AI, Access, and Uptime: VMS’s Next Chapter with David Prusinski
VMS’s new Co-CEO, David Prusinski, shares how an AI-first approach will give small fleets and repair shops the tools to compete like big players.
Read More →
Fleet Managers Share Winter Prep Tips: It's Never Too Early!
Three fleets share best practices to prep vehicles for winter and prevent downtime when the cold sets in.
Read More →
