The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has raised the bar for vehicle safety with its updated vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention test. This more demanding evaluation, designed to mimic higher-speed collisions and accidents involving motorcycles and large trucks, reveals that many small SUVs fall short. For drivers prioritizing safety in a smaller vehicle, understanding these results is crucial when looking for Good Mini Suvs.
“This is a vital update to one of our most successful test programs,” states IIHS President David Harkey, emphasizing the significance of this enhanced evaluation. Automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems are now common, effectively reducing front-to-rear crashes. However, this new test targets more severe scenarios that current systems need to address more effectively, helping consumers identify truly good mini SUVs in terms of safety.
In the initial round of testing, only the Subaru Forester achieved a “good” rating, standing out as a top pick for safety-conscious buyers seeking good mini SUVs. The Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 earned “acceptable” ratings, indicating decent performance. However, several popular models received less favorable scores. The Ford Escape, Hyundai Tucson, and Jeep Compass were rated “marginal,” while the Chevrolet Equinox, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander, and Volkswagen Taos all received “poor” ratings. These results underscore the varying levels of safety performance among good mini SUVs currently on the market.
The original IIHS front crash prevention test, conducted at lower speeds (12 and 25 mph), became less discriminatory as most vehicles achieved the highest “superior” rating. Recognizing the need to assess performance in more challenging, real-world situations, the updated test incorporates higher speeds and different types of target vehicles. While front crash prevention technology has proven effective in mitigating many accidents, the original test did not adequately evaluate system capabilities at higher speeds or in crashes involving motorcycles and larger trucks.
Additional IIHS research highlighted that existing systems are less effective at preventing collisions with motorcycles and medium or heavy trucks compared to passenger cars. This gap in protection is a critical concern addressed by the new evaluation.
Upping the Ante: A More Stringent Test for Mini SUVs
To create a more realistic and challenging assessment, the updated test employs speeds of 31, 37, and 43 mph (50, 60, and 70 km/h). Beyond passenger cars, the test now includes evaluations using a motorcycle target and a semitrailer. This comprehensive approach provides a more accurate reflection of real-world front-to-rear crashes, many of which occur at higher speeds and involve more vulnerable vehicles like motorcycles or large, potentially deadly, underride scenarios with trucks. For consumers searching for good mini SUVs, this new test offers a much clearer picture of which models truly offer superior protection.
“Obviously, crashes that happen at higher speeds are more dangerous,” explains IIHS Senior Research Scientist David Kidd, who spearheaded the development of the new test. “Deadly underride crashes often occur when the struck vehicle is a large truck, and motorcyclists are frequently killed when they’re rear-ended by a passenger car, since their bike offers no protection from the impact.” This underscores the importance of evaluating good mini SUVs against these diverse and dangerous crash types.
The new evaluation involves multiple trials with passenger car and motorcycle targets, as well as a dry van trailer. Tests are conducted at all three speeds with each target type. Motorcycle and passenger car targets are positioned both centrally and offset within the lane, while the trailer is always centered. This variety of scenarios ensures a thorough assessment of a vehicle’s crash prevention capabilities, helping to differentiate truly good mini SUVs from those with less robust systems.
These trials assess both the forward collision warning (FCW) and automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems. Engineers drive the test vehicle towards the target at the specified speed, recording the timing of the forward collision warning and the AEB system’s effectiveness in slowing the vehicle. If a vehicle fails to achieve a minimum speed reduction at lower speeds, only the FCW system is evaluated in subsequent higher-speed tests. Crucially, tests involving the trailer only evaluate the forward collision warning system, with the driver steering to avoid a collision. This detailed testing methodology provides a comprehensive understanding of how good mini SUVs perform in critical crash avoidance situations.
Decoding the Performance Ratings of Mini SUVs
The IIHS scoring system awards points based on timely warnings (at least 2.1 seconds before impact) and significant speed reductions achieved by the AEB system. Speed reduction accounts for two-thirds of the score, while warnings comprise one-third, reflecting the importance of both active braking and driver alerts in preventing crashes. For consumers comparing good mini SUVs, understanding this scoring breakdown is essential.
The Subaru Forester, earning a “good” rating, demonstrated exceptional performance. It avoided collisions with the passenger car target at all test speeds and with the motorcycle target at 31 and 37 mph. In the 43 mph motorcycle tests, it achieved an average speed reduction of 30 mph before impact. Furthermore, its forward collision warning consistently activated more than 2.1 seconds before projected impact across all trials, including those with the trailer. This consistent and strong performance solidifies the Forester’s position as a top choice among good mini SUVs for safety.
The “acceptable”-rated Honda CR-V also performed well, providing timely forward collision warnings and stopping or nearly stopping in all passenger car trials and in the 31 and 37 mph motorcycle trials. However, its performance was less consistent in the 43 mph motorcycle trials, preventing it from achieving a “good” rating. Despite this, the CR-V remains a reasonably safe option within the category of good mini SUVs.
Even vehicles with a “marginal” rating in the new test show improved performance compared to the requirements for a “superior” rating in the older evaluation. For instance, the Ford Escape avoided collisions with passenger car and motorcycle targets at 31 mph and achieved modest speed reductions at higher speeds. However, it lost points due to late forward collision warnings in all 31 mph tests. This highlights the increased rigor of the new test in differentiating good mini SUVs.
The “poor”-rated vehicles, including the Chevrolet Equinox, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander, and Volkswagen Taos, struggled in multiple test scenarios. The Chevrolet Equinox, for example, provided timely warnings with the trailer and passenger car target, but often failed to warn or warned too late in motorcycle tests. Its speed reduction was also minimal in motorcycle tests and only modest in passenger car tests. These results emphasize that not all mini SUVs offer the same level of front crash protection, and some models lag significantly behind in these critical safety evaluations. For buyers prioritizing safety, these “poor”-rated models may not be considered good mini SUVs.
Updated Front Crash Prevention Ratings: Small SUVs
| 2023-24 Subaru Forester | Good |
|---|---|
| 2023-24 Honda CR-V | Acceptable |
| 2023-24 Toyota RAV4 | Acceptable |
| 2023-24 Ford Escape | Marginal |
| 2023-24 Hyundai Tucson | Marginal |
| 2023-24 Jeep Compass | Marginal |
| 2023-24 Chevrolet Equinox | Poor |
| 2023-24 Mazda CX-5 | Poor |
| 2023-24 Mitsubishi Outlander | Poor |
| 2023-24 Volkswagen Taos | Poor |
Key: G=Good, A=Acceptable, M=Marginal, P=Poor
For consumers in the market for good mini SUVs, the IIHS’s updated front crash prevention test provides invaluable insights. While the Subaru Forester stands out as the top performer, other models offer varying degrees of protection. Carefully reviewing these ratings and understanding the nuances of the new test can empower buyers to make informed decisions and choose a good mini SUV that prioritizes their safety and the safety of their passengers.
