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On December 22, a Twitter user posted dashcam footage online of a Land Rover Discovery SUV flipping over after hitting a tiny Toyota GR Yaris. You might not expect the massive, expensive SUV to flip so easily. Most people certainly would not bet on a Toyota Yaris to come out of this crash in better condition. Did you know that SUVs are more prone to rolling than most other vehicles?

Twitter video: Toyota GR Yaris flips a Land Rover Discovery

As you can see, the person driving the Land Rover Discovery was in a bit of a hurry. They tried to pass the Yaris on the right side as the pair approached a traffic circle. The Yaris driver stayed stopped entirely behind the car ahead of them. Consequently, the Discovery driver did not move to the right quickly enough, clipped the Yaris, and went for a tumble.

Although the Toyota GR Yaris is smaller in stature, it’s no surprise that it stood its ground. According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, larger passenger vehicles like SUVs and trucks have a higher chance of rolling on their side. It always depends on the type of collision, angle, and speed of the vehicle. However, it’s easy to see in this Twitter user’s video that a Land Rover can quickly end up on its roof even at a low speed.

That’s why, thanks to this dashcam footage, so many people have watched a Toyota GR Yaris flip a Land Rover Discovery.

SUVs like the Land Rover Discovery roll more easily

Sport Utility Vehicles have a higher risk of rolling than most other passenger vehicles. Vehicles have gotten safer every year for a long time. Many safety features are included with most new vehicles; most owners don’t even know about half of them. However, safety features can’t change gravity.

The average for most SUVs is a 20 percent chance of rolling during a single-car accident. Contrarily, coupes and sedans average about half of that percentage, according to Jalopnik. The difference is primarily due to the higher center of gravity that SUVs tend to have. That’s why an incident like this one is so common. The Yaris can easily hold its ground because it’s closer to it.

Is the Land Rover Discovery a safe SUV?

A white Land Rover Discovery parked inside, one was recently flipped after rear-ending a Toyota GR Yaris.
Land Rover Discovery | Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images

Although the newest model years haven’t been tested, the Discovery is an overall safe SUV. Primarily due to it coming with tons of features to ensure safe driving. The 2021 Land Rover Discovery comes with anti-lock brakes, stability control, front, side, and overhead impact airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners, and a security system, according to Auto Blog.

The security system detects vehicle intruders and has an ignition disable device to prevent the engine from starting without the original manufacturer key. This is highly effective for preventing theft, but not in accidents. Most of the safety features don’t help with rolling at all. Each one is for post-crash safety, discluding anti-lock brakes and stability control.

Toyota GR Yaris flips Land Rover Discovery

A white Toyota GR Yaris, the same vehicle that cause a Land Rover Discovery to flip without moving in a crash.
Toyota GR Yaris | Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images

An impatient Land Rover Discovery driver rear-ended a tiny car on the road. As you can see, it was a mistake, given that the tiny Toyota GR Yaris stood its ground easily. In conclusion, the bigger, more expensive vehicle is often not the safest option. Injury is much more likely in a car crash if one of those involved rolls on its side or roof. Lastly, the Yaris body-shop bill will be a lot less expensive than the Discovery one. It’s always interesting to see a crash like this, where a tiny car like the Toyota GR Yaris flips a Land Rover Discovery, a big SUV.

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