An energy absorbing vehicle door having a door block strategically located within the door is disclosed. The door block has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is wider than the lower portion and is attached to the inner panel of the door. A door beam is provided between the inner panel of the door and the outer panel. A portion of the door beam is positioned between the inner panel and the lower portion of the door block. The door beam may be attached to the lower portion of the door block. The attachment surface of the lower portion of the door block may have a geometry that is the same as or is substantially the same as the geometry of the door beam.