1990s Chevy Blazer SUV folds like paper in IIHS crash test vs modern Blazer crossover

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has released a new crash test video pitting a 1996 Chevrolet Blazer SUV against the upcoming 2026 Chevrolet Blazer crossover to highlight the vast safety gap between modern and 1990s vehicles. The test, conducted at 40 mph, shows the dramatic difference in structural integrity and occupant protection.

The 1996 Blazer’s passenger compartment collapsed under impact, with the dashboard and steering column intruding into the dummy’s lap. The fully inflated airbag struck the dummy’s chin, snapping its head back and causing the upper neck joint to break, detaching the head from the body.

While the IIHS notes this extreme outcome is unlikely in a real crash, the data from the dummy’s sensors confirmed a high risk of serious injuries to the driver’s head, neck, and both legs. In contrast, the 2026 Blazer crossover’s occupants emerged with minimal injury risk, with only slightly elevated readings on the right foot or lower leg of the driver.

The test underscores the advancements in crash safety engineering over the past three decades, including improved crumple zones, stricter safety standards, standard seatbelts, and airbags in the 1996 model. The IIHS released the video to mark the 30th anniversary of its crash test program, aiming to dispel the myth that older vehicles, even those from the 1990s, offer adequate protection in a collision.