Advancements in automotive safety have been significant in the 21st century, but there is always room for improvement. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently conducted an analysis of compact SUVs and crossovers, a popular segment in the automotive market. The goal was to assess the effectiveness of these vehicles’ safety features and identify areas for further development.
In their evaluation, the IIHS put popular compact SUVs such as the Subaru Forester, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Compass, Chevrolet Equinox, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander, and Volkswagen Taos through rigorous testing. What set this assessment apart from previous ones was the increased testing speed. Instead of the standard 12 mph and 25 mph, the IIHS raised the bar to 31 mph, 37 mph, and 43 mph.
Moreover, the updated evaluation introduced different types of vehicles into the tests, including traditional passenger cars, motorcycles, and semitrailers. Each vehicle type was tested at all three speeds to evaluate the effectiveness of their forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking systems. During these tests, an IIHS engineer drove the car, simulating a real-life scenario where the driver must swerve to avoid a collision while assessing the safety systems.
The rationale behind these changes is that crashes at higher speeds are more dangerous. Deadly underride crashes often occur when a large truck is struck by another vehicle, and motorcyclists are at risk of being rear-ended by passenger cars. Motorcyclists have little protection from such impacts, making them vulnerable on the road.
To earn a high rating from the IIHS, each model had to demonstrate certain criteria. The driver must be warned at least 2.1 seconds before the projected time of impact, and substantial speed reduction under automated braking is crucial. The Subaru Forester excelled in these tests, earning the highest IIHS rating of Good. It successfully avoided collisions with passenger cars at all test speeds and demonstrated proactive forward-collision alerts.
The Honda CR-V also performed well, earning an Acceptable rating. It provided timely forward-collision alerts and exhibited aggressive braking performance in most scenarios. However, it struggled to consistently slow down for the motorcycle target at 43 mph, which affected its overall score. The Toyota RAV4 received a similar rating for its performance.
On the other hand, the Ford Escape, Hyundai Tucson, and Jeep Compass all received Marginal ratings. This was primarily due to late forward-collision warnings. Despite this, the Ford Escape managed to avoid collisions with passenger vehicles and motorcycles at speeds up to 31 mph and showed significant slowing in higher-speed tests.
The Chevrolet Equinox, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander, and Volkswagen Taos did not fare well in the evaluation, receiving Poor ratings. These vehicles lacked motorcycle target identification and showed insignificant slowing from their automated emergency braking systems. The Equinox, in particular, failed to slow down adequately for the motorcycle target.
It is worth noting that the results of these tests provide valuable insights for automakers to improve the safety features of their vehicles. The IIHS’s rigorous evaluation not only highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each model but also underscores the importance of continuous improvement in automotive safety.
In conclusion, while automotive safety has come a long way, there is still work to be done. The IIHS’s analysis of compact SUVs and crossovers sheds light on the effectiveness of their safety features. The Subaru Forester emerged as the top performer, demonstrating excellent collision avoidance and proactive warning systems. Other models like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 also performed well but had room for improvement in certain areas. The evaluation serves as a reminder that advancements in automotive safety should always be a priority, considering the potential risks on the road.
