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Accident Reconstruction News Article

Murano does best of 9 SUVs in crashes

The 2009 Nissan Murano was the best performer in new crash tests of midsize sport-utility vehicles, while the Hummer H3 posted one of the poorest showings, results released Tuesday by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety indicated.

The institute, which is funded by the insurance industry, said the redesigned Murano was the only vehicle among the nine tested to receive the highest rating in front, side and rear crash tests. It praised Nissan for making electronic stability control standard on the 2009 Murano. The system helps prevent swerving.

General Motors' (GM) H3 was the only vehicle in the group that didn't receive the top rating for frontal-crash protection. It earned the second-highest rating of "acceptable" because the test indicated a high likelihood of injury to the driver's right leg. The H3 also received an "acceptable" rating in the side crash test and the worst rating of "poor" in the rear crash test.

A message seeking comment was left Monday with GM.

The institute said it downgraded side crash results for the H3, Kia's Sorento and Chrysler's Jeep Liberty/Dodge Nitro — which are built on the same platform — because they lacked air bags that protected the torso. All three had curtain air bags that protected the head. But the tests indicated a likelihood of injuries to the driver's rib cage.

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