Thanks to the feds testing program any car or truck you buy today is going to be much safer and the occupants are much more likely to survive a collision. The manufacturers have fought every single safety improvement including safety glass, seat belts, ABS brakes, and air bags.
Different vehicles will have different designs and the more truck like the vehicle, as with the 4Runner with its ladder frame construction, the less it can deflect energy from the occupants' seating area. The 4Runner is one of very few true offroad SUV's you can buy.
What I have noticed is that the Korean car companies are now making the safest cars, better than those from the Japanese or American car companies. If it helps their sales and profits then more power to them.
