For families, safety is paramount when choosing a vehicle. Knowing which SUVs offer the best protection in accidents can provide significant peace of mind, especially when you’re regularly driving with your children. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rankings are invaluable for car buyers seeking to avoid vehicles that may pose higher risks in collisions.
The IIHS has expanded its testing to include full-size SUVs, a vehicle segment increasingly popular with families. While all cars legally sold in the U.S. must pass government crash tests, the IIHS goes further, conducting more rigorous evaluations to identify safety gaps and provide consumers with detailed safety ratings. This deeper level of testing is crucial for families who prioritize safety above all else.
2024 IIHS Full-Size SUV Safety Performance: An Overview
In the recent IIHS evaluations of full-size SUVs, three models were assessed: the Jeep Wagoneer, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Ford Expedition. These SUVs are frequently considered by families due to their size and passenger capacity. Let’s examine how they performed in IIHS safety tests:
Jeep Wagoneer: A Top Safety Pick
The Jeep Wagoneer emerged as the top performer among the tested full-size SUVs, earning the 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick award. This distinction highlights its superior performance in various crash tests. However, the IIHS noted that improvements in backseat passenger protection are needed for the Wagoneer to achieve the更高 Top Safety Pick+ rating. Despite this, the Top Safety Pick award signifies a strong level of safety for families considering this SUV.
Chevrolet Tahoe: Mixed Safety Results
The Chevrolet Tahoe presented a mixed bag of safety results. It received an “Acceptable” rating in the driver-side small overlap crash test but a concerning “Poor” rating in the passenger-side small overlap test. The IIHS identified significant issues with lower leg protection for the driver and passenger in small overlap crashes, as well as inadequate protection for backseat passengers in moderate overlap crashes. Furthermore, the Tahoe received a “Marginal” rating in pedestrian crash avoidance due to subpar nighttime visibility and headlight performance, which is a crucial consideration for family safety in urban and suburban environments.
Ford Expedition: Structural Concerns and Backseat Safety
The Ford Expedition, another popular full-size SUV, received a “Marginal” rating in the small overlap crash test due to structural failures observed during testing. Similar to the Tahoe, the Expedition also exhibited backseat safety issues in the updated moderate overlap front test. While the Expedition demonstrated “Good” pedestrian crash avoidance capabilities, its headlight performance was identified as needing improvement. These results indicate areas where the Expedition’s safety performance could be enhanced, particularly concerning structural integrity in small overlap crashes and passenger protection in the rear seats.
Detailed Breakdown of IIHS Safety Tests by SUV
While the overall ratings provide a quick snapshot, understanding the specifics of each IIHS test is essential for a comprehensive assessment of family SUV safety. Let’s delve into the details of how each SUV performed in specific crash tests.
Chevrolet Tahoe: In-Depth Safety Analysis
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Small Overlap Front Crash Test:
- Driver-Side Test: Although the driver’s survival space was largely maintained, significant footwell intrusion occurred, indicating a high risk of lower leg injuries for the driver.
- Passenger-Side Test: The passenger side fared worse, with substantial footwell intrusion leading to a high risk of injury to the right foot and a moderate risk to the left leg for the front passenger. This asymmetry in protection between the driver and passenger sides is a noteworthy concern.
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Updated Moderate Overlap Front Test:
- Analysis of the rear passenger dummy revealed a high risk of head and neck injuries. The seatbelt’s movement out of position also elevated the risk of abdominal and chest injuries for rear occupants. This highlights a potential vulnerability for children seated in the back.
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Pedestrian Crash Avoidance Test:
- The Tahoe’s “Marginal” rating in this test stems from its inability to adequately slow down or completely avoid hitting a pedestrian dummy in nighttime scenarios. The vehicle’s headlights were identified as a contributing factor, limiting visibility of pedestrians in low-light conditions.
Ford Expedition: Specific Safety Test Results
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Small Overlap Front Crash Test:
- Driver-Side Test: The Expedition’s structural integrity was compromised in this test. Components like the steering column and A-pillar detached, and significant footwell intrusion posed a high risk of injury to the driver’s right leg.
- Passenger-Side Test: While footwell intrusion was also observed on the passenger side, it was less severe compared to the driver’s side. This suggests a degree of inconsistency in structural performance.
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Updated Moderate Overlap Front Test:
- Data from the rear passenger dummy indicated a high risk of chest injuries due to excessive seatbelt forces. Despite the presence of advanced safety features, their effectiveness in protecting rear passengers in this specific crash scenario was insufficient.
Jeep Wagoneer: A Closer Look at Safety Performance
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Small Overlap Front Crash Test:
- Driver-Side Test: The Wagoneer effectively maintained occupant space for both the driver and front passenger. Minor footwell intrusion presented only a slight risk to the driver’s left foot and ankle, demonstrating robust structural performance.
- Passenger-Side Test: Airbags functioned optimally to protect the dummies’ heads, and no other significant injury risks were detected on the passenger side, indicating consistent and effective occupant protection.
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Updated Moderate Overlap Front Test:
- Similar to the Expedition, the rear passenger dummy in the Wagoneer showed a relatively high risk of chest injuries due to seatbelt forces. This suggests a common area for improvement across full-size SUVs in rear passenger protection during moderate overlap frontal crashes.
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Pedestrian Crash Avoidance Test:
- The Wagoneer performed well in pedestrian crash avoidance tests, successfully avoiding collisions with the pedestrian dummy in most scenarios, both during daytime and nighttime. Its superior headlight performance contributed to better visibility and improved nighttime pedestrian detection.
Key Takeaway for Families: Balancing Safety and Practicality
While the IIHS results highlight areas for improvement in full-size SUV safety, particularly in the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition, it’s important to maintain perspective. As the original article author notes, focusing on controllable safety measures such as ensuring proper seatbelt use and car seat installation remains crucial.
The Jeep Wagoneer stands out as the safest option among these tested SUVs, earning the Top Safety Pick award. However, the results as a whole serve as a call to action for manufacturers to prioritize safety enhancements in future SUV models. For families seeking the safest SUV, understanding these IIHS ratings and prioritizing models with stronger performance in these tests is a vital part of the vehicle selection process. Safety should always be a leading consideration, and these insights from IIHS testing empower families to make more informed decisions.
