2009 Pontiac Solstice - Safety Review and Crash Test Ratings

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The Pontiac Solstice gets some much-needed safety improvements for the 2009 model, and while it hasn't yet been tested by the IIHS, its NHTSA ratings are acceptable.

In NHTSA's front impact category, the Pontiac Solstice earns a decent four-star rating for frontal crash protection—albeit against vehicles of similar weight. The Solstice also gets four stars for driver and passenger side impacts—though without side airbags. The Pontiac Solstice wins, perhaps unsurprisingly, a perfect five-star rating in terms of rollover resistance, thanks in large part to its low center of gravity.

In response to numerous criticisms regarding the standard safety features on the Pontiac Solstice, GM has upgraded the list to include some very common, and critical, technologies. According to Kelley Blue Book, "new standard equipment includes StabiliTrak stability control [and] anti-lock brakes (ABS)." Edmunds adds that "traction control [is] standard on all Pontiac Solstice trims," although unfortunately "side airbags aren't offered." Other than those newly standard features, TheCarConnection.com discovers little else in the way of active safety systems.

Given the 2009 Pontiac Solstice's small dimensions and generous window size, it's probably unsurprising that visibility is generally good. The only real complaint in this regard comes from Consumer Guide reviewers, who find that "visibility to the rear is partially blocked by a pair of decklid humps directly behind the seat headrests." Although this obstruction is a nuisance, it's not enough to warrant any sort of rearview camera or parking assist on the 2009 Pontiac Solstice.