All those vintage cars sure look cool, but there is one thing that new cars absolutely beat them at: crash safety. Over the last 30 years, drivers have benefited from features like airbags, traction and stability control, and passive aids like collision avoidance systems and automatic emergency braking.The per-capita road fatality rate in the US has fallen in 20 of the last 30 years, and to mark those 30 years, the IIHS has shown how safe cars have become over that span. Doing so meant crashing a new and an old Chevrolet Blazer to show exactly how safe new cars are compared to their vintage counterparts. You can watch below - the results are staggering.The test itself is the IIHS' moderate-overlap front crash test, where two vehicles moving at or under 40 miles per hour hit each other nearly head-on. Watching the video, it's clear that one of the biggest advances in technology is just how rigid modern cockpits are now. The 1996 Blazer's crumples like paper mache, while there's hardly any deformation from the impact in the 2026 Blazer.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe '96 Blazer's cabin deforms even on the passenger side, leaving little to no space for the driver before you take into account that the steering column and dash have to go somewhere. The professional diagnosis from the IIHS is that at these speeds, with around 40% frontal overlap, the driver of the '96 Blazer would have suffered "serious, potentially fatal injuries."ChevroletIn the 2026 Blazer, the lack of deformation not only saves the driver's life but also minimizes the injuries the driver and other occupants receive in a crash like this. In modern cars, bracing ensures the kinetic energy of the impact is directed towards the rear of the car and around the passenger cell, which is kept incredibly rigid during a crash. The end result is a total reversal from the other Blazer driver's fate. This driver would " have walked away with bumps and bruises," says the IIHS.This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.