Four Minivans Flunk IIHS Offset Crash Test

The Nissan Quest, Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan and Volkswagen Routan minivans all received "poor" ratings in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's rigorous small-overlap crash test.

The test shows what happens when only the front corner of a vehicle strikes a fixed object at 40 mph. Such an impact channels almost all the crash force outside the vehicle's main energy-absorbing structure.

Toyota Sienna (left) vs. Nissan Quest

The 2015 Toyota Sienna minivan earned an "acceptable" rating. It joins the Honda Odyssey, which turned in a "good" performance last year, as the only two minivans to pass the test.

IIHS says the Quest's structure was pushed back nearly two feet into the passenger compartment, and the parking brake pedal moved 16 inches toward the driver. Technicians had to cut out the seat and use a crowbar to free the crash dummy's right foot from the wreckage, according to the institute.

The Quest's poor ratings apply to 2011-2015 models. The findings prompted Consumer Reports to yank its "recommended" rating for the minivan in spite of its high scores in other areas.

IIHS measured 15 inches of intrusion for the Town & Country minivan. Researchers says the dummy's head hit the instrument panel, and its left lower leg was gouged by the parking brake pedal. Results apply to 2008-2015 Town & Country and Grand Caravan models and the discontinued 2009-2012 Volkswagen Routan.