VIDEO: Buick Envision Excels in Crash Tests

The 2016-model year Buick Envision, a new mid-size SUV, has won the Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The Envision is the first Chinese-built vehicle that IIHS has tested as part of its safety ratings, according to IIHS. The vehicle drew the highest possible rating of “good” across the board for crashworthiness. (To view video footage of the small overlap front crash test, click on the photo or link below the headline.)

To qualify for 2016 Top Safety Pick+, a vehicle must earn “good” ratings in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraint tests. The vehicle also must earn an “advanced” or “superior” rating for front crash prevention.

The Envision is available with Front Automatic Braking, an “advanced”-rated front crash prevention system. A different system, Forward Collision Alert, drew a “basic” rating.

Front Automatic Braking is optional for both 2016 and 2017 models. Forward Collision Alert is standard on all 2016 Envisions not equipped with autobrake but is optional on 2017 models.

In the IIHS 12 mph track test, the Envision with the autobrake system avoided a collision. In the 25 mph test, the vehicle’s impact speed was reduced by 9 mph. The system also includes a forward collision-warning component that meets National Highway Traffic Safety Administration criteria.

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