Small SUVs Not the Best on Some Crash Avoidance

A newly updated crash test shows many small sports-utility vehicles fail to perform well in what the tester considers some of the most dangerous accidents.

The revised front crash-prevention test evaluates accidents that result in motorcycles and large trucks being struck because research shows current technology is less effective at preventing crashes with those types of vehicles.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety toughened the test of front-to-rear crashes in its recent update by conducting high-speed evaluations. The original crash tests were at low speeds because they evaluated what was still relatively new technology.

The nonprofit testing organization says automatic emergency braking prevents up to half of front-to-rear accidents but that the particular risks in crashes involving motorcycles and large trucks warrant close attention.

“Obviously, crashes that happen at higher speeds are more dangerous,” said IIHS Senior Research Scientist David Kidd, who led the development of the new evaluation. “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.

When it comes to small SUVs, just one of 10 2023 and 2024 models IIHS tested so far got a good rating in the crash tests – the Subaru Forester. The Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 received acceptable ratings; the Ford Escape, Hyundai Tucson and Jeep Compass marginal ratings; and the Chevrolet Equinox, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander and Volkswagen Taos poor.

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