Should I fit my SUV with a bullbar?
QUESTION
Hi John,
We have a new Sorento GT Line on order (including a very long wait for delivery) and we live in a small country village surrounded by Pine Forests and farmland.
With lots of wildlife around us, including kangaroos, a protective bullbar is our preferred option.
However, with this model Sorento having lots of new technology and sensors attached, my concern is the alloy bar and the sensors etc may not be compatible (don’t work as they should) and I am interested in your thoughts.
I’m not specifically looking for a recommendation, as there are only a couple of choices, I’m more interested in your detailed independent analysis which you are known for.
I’m not sure I trust the sales conversations I’ve had in the last few days.
Thank you,
Alan
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ANSWER
Alan,
Thanks for the very kind words and your enthusiasm for my reports, but I fear you will not like my answer. (It’s OK - I prioritise honesty over appeasement in these situations.)
To wit: bullbars are a joke, which in all probability (thanks to the laws of physics) can only degrade the lifesaving potential of all the crash safety systems in the vehicle. (I say ‘in all probability’ because this is never tested.)
Thus anyone who fits a bullbar is protecting the sheetmetal at the cost of degrading the lifesaving protection available in a serious crash. This is a dud choice if ever there were one.
A better option is: Spend the same money on an advanced driving course, and learn how to brake properly, and evasively maneuver. (Most people perform poorly in emergency stops, and they’re absolutely crap at swerving. Especially people who really think they’re great drivers, but have had no training.)
Take other pre-emptive measures: Drive at a reduced speed at those times during which animal strike is likely. 80km/h Vs 100km/h. If you’re driving 50 kays in this condition, the time penalty is 7.5 minutes. If you have to stop in an emergency, the distance saved will be about a third less than at 100. Pretty simple calculus there.
Hope this helps.
JC
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