Which of these vehicle components is designed to absorb impact energy?

Crush zones are specifically engineered sections of a vehicle that are designed to absorb and dissipate energy during a collision. Their primary purpose is to manage the impact forces, allowing the rest of the vehicle structure and, importantly, the occupants to remain safer during a crash. By deforming in a controlled manner, crush zones reduce the severity of the forces transmitted to the passenger compartment, thereby enhancing overall occupant protection.

In contrast, other components such as the firewall serve to separate the engine compartment from the passenger area but do not specifically absorb impact energy. The hybrid vehicle battery pack is crucial for vehicle operation and safety but is not directly intended for energy absorption during a collision. Similarly, dashboards serve as the interior surface that occupants interact with but are not designed to absorb significant impact energy compared to crush zones.