Small SUVs, a popular choice for families and urban drivers, are facing a more rigorous safety evaluation with the introduction of a new, tougher side-impact crash test by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The initial results are concerning, revealing that only one out of twenty 2020-2021 models tested achieved the highest “good” rating, highlighting areas where even New Small Suvs need significant safety improvements.
This updated side crash test was developed by the IIHS to better replicate real-world, higher-speed side-impact collisions, which unfortunately continue to result in fatalities and serious injuries. According to IIHS President David Harkey, “We developed this new test because we suspected there was room for more progress, and these results confirm that.” The results clearly indicate that while current safety standards have improved vehicle protection, there’s still a considerable gap to bridge, especially in side-impact scenarios for new small SUVs.
Mazda CX-5 Leads the Pack, But Many Fall Short
In this first round of evaluations using the more demanding test, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 stood out as the only new small SUV to earn a “good” rating. This achievement demonstrates that superior side-impact protection is indeed attainable in this vehicle class. However, the performance of the majority of new small SUVs tested was less impressive.
A group of nine vehicles received “acceptable” ratings. These include:
- Audi Q3
- Buick Encore
- Chevrolet Trax
- Honda CR-V
- Nissan Rogue
- Subaru Forester
- Toyota RAV4
- Toyota Venza
- Volvo XC40
While “acceptable” indicates a moderate level of protection, it also signals that there’s room for enhancement to reach the “good” standard in this more challenging test.
Further down the scale, eight new small SUVs earned “marginal” ratings, suggesting a need for more substantial safety improvements. These models are:
- Chevrolet Equinox
- Ford Escape
- GMC Terrain
- Hyundai Tucson
- Jeep Compass
- Jeep Renegade
- Kia Sportage
- Lincoln Corsair
Disappointingly, two models received “poor” ratings, the lowest possible, in the new side-impact assessment:
- Honda HR-V
- Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (2020 model tested)
It’s important to note that, with the exception of the Jeep Compass and Hyundai Tucson, these ratings are generally applicable to the 2022 models as well.
Understanding the New, More Stringent Side-Impact Test
The IIHS’s original side-impact test, introduced in 2003, has been instrumental in improving vehicle safety over the years. In fact, all 20 of the small SUVs tested achieved a “good” rating in the older test. However, real-world data showed that side-impact crashes still accounted for a significant portion (23%) of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities in 2019, indicating a need for a more demanding evaluation.
The updated test reflects a more severe collision scenario. It utilizes a heavier barrier, weighing 4,200 pounds (approximating the weight of a modern midsize SUV), striking the test vehicle at 37 mph. This is a significant increase in energy compared to the original test’s 3,300-pound barrier at 31 mph, representing an 82% increase in crash energy. The striking surface of the new barrier is also redesigned to better mimic the impact characteristics of a real SUV or pickup truck.
The rating criteria for the new test remain similar to the original, focusing on:
- Structural integrity: How well the occupant compartment maintains its shape.
- Injury measures: Data collected from crash test dummies (representing a small woman or 12-year-old child) in both driver and rear passenger seats.
- Head protection: Effectiveness of airbags in protecting the heads of the dummies.
Implications and Future of New Small SUV Safety
The results of this tougher side-impact test highlight variations in how well new small SUVs protect occupants’ pelvis and chest areas. Becky Mueller, IIHS Senior Research Engineer, explains that the new barrier’s behavior, bending around the B-pillar, can lead to door intrusion and compromise occupant space, even if the B-pillar itself is strong.
Manufacturers will likely need to enhance horizontal door beams to minimize intrusion and refine torso and pelvis airbags for improved coverage and cushioning to meet these more demanding safety standards for new small SUVs. Stronger vehicle structures have a direct correlation to higher survival rates in real-world side-impact crashes.
While these initial results may seem discouraging, they provide a clear roadmap for automakers to improve the side-impact safety performance of new small SUVs. The IIHS will publish ratings for both the original and updated tests in the interim. However, starting in 2023, the more stringent side-impact test will become the benchmark for the Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards, pushing manufacturers to prioritize and innovate in side-impact protection for all new vehicles, including the increasingly popular small SUV segment.
Consumers Should Prioritize Safety Ratings
For consumers in the market for a new small SUV, these updated safety ratings are crucial. While many models perform well in frontal crash tests, this new side-impact evaluation reveals a critical area for improvement across the segment. Choosing a vehicle with a “good” or “acceptable” rating in this tougher test can provide an added layer of protection in a side-impact collision, ultimately contributing to greater safety for drivers and passengers.
