This article reviews a study into the compatibility of bumper positions between cars and sport utility vehicles (SUV) manufactured in the USA. Pairs of vehicles were tested, each pair comprising a car and a midsize SUV from the same manufacturer. In the crash tests a car moving at 10 miles per hour struck the back of a stationary SUV; then the configuration was reversed. The two Ford vehicles tested had bumpers lining up better than those of the other manufacturers, and therefore the lowest damage cost: although it is noted that damage caused under the bumper cover was not apparent immediately. In some other vehicle pairs the bumpers failed to line up and under- or over-riding took place, with considerable damage. One SUV had no rear bumper, replacing it with a spare tyre, which caused extensive damage to both striking and struck vehicles.
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