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I have always had this question burning in the back of my mind, what would be structurally safer in a side-impact crash, in the same model of car? A 2 door, or a 4 door?
When I say this, I'm not talking about completely different cars, simply cars that are offered in both 2 door and 4 door versions, like the Honda Civic, for example.
Now, to me, it would seem that a 4 door would be slightly stronger than a 2 door, because of the vertical pillar on guarding the driver, whereas on a 2 door, that pillar is further back, most of the time behind where the driver sits, not protecting the driver.

Would this be a fair assumption, or are there other variables to take into place. For comparison purposes, let's stick to, like I said, models that are offered in both 2 door and 4 door versions, like the Honda Civic, so we are not comparing completely different cars.

Just for a reference, this is the pillar I am referring to: (picture taken from IIHS.org)

On a 2 door model, the pillar would be further back, behind the driver, offering less interior intrusion protection (theoretically, anyway).

 
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I would probably aggree that a sedan is slighty safer.

 
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^^^^^ agree

 
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I think he's saying the contrary thing to what you two agree on...

 
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I suppose then that the coupe would be superior if you had kids (ideally), who you would seat in the back seat exclusively, or any passengers then, if the pillar is farther back. Guess that kind of makes up for them not having airbags.

 
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[QUOTE=Majarvis]
Now, to me, it would seem that a 4 door would be slightly stronger [QUOTE=Majarvis]

didn't I say I aggreed to that?

 
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http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/testing/ncap/

The 2 door with no side air bags only got 3 stars for a side impact
The 4 door with and without side air bags got 4 stars for side impact
The 2 door with side impact air bags got 5 stars for side impact.

 
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Also the Si obtained 4 stars for side impact, and all civics’ 01-05 have 5 star front impact.

 
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Proven fact like this, 4 doors are safer.

 
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Yeah the four doors for sure..

Ill test out the theory tonight and take pics after thats once i awake in the recovery room

 
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Yeah, I'll post pick of the front of my car when a friend rear ended the hell out of a van.

 
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That B-pillar also obscures vision though... I mean, there are billions of times when I look right into it thinking I'm still outside with a 360* view of everything. I have to lean forward and see what is on my left...

 
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I was reading a few things in a Consumer Reports article (don't have the issue number, it was while in a dentist office) and it said that 2 doors hold up better in side impact crashes vs their 4 door counterparts. The reason being is that for a 2 door, less of a hole is "cut out" of the unibody frame for the space needed for doors, making the side stronger than a 4 door, which has more space cut out for the doors.

When you think about it, it makes perfect sense. Behind the door on a 2 door, there is just the unibody frame, offering more protection against cabin penetration, which is much stronger than the B pillar of a 4 door. Not only that, but the fact that the door is longer, and is reinforced (which helps again against penetration), reduces the likelihood of your head bouncing off of the pillar, and with side curtain airbags, your head is much more protected anyway (either 2 door or 4 door Civic).

 
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glad to have an em2 with side air bags

 
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Yea, I was thinking that the 2 door would hold up better also for that same reason.