IIHS Evaluates Seven Small SUVs in New Crash Test
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has evaluated seven small SUVs in the passenger-side small overlap front crash test.
The new crash test was introduced last year to encourage automakers to offer the same level of protection for front-seat passengers as drivers in a small overlap crash. With the latest round of evaluations, IIHS has now tested 16 small SUVs in the passenger-side small overlap front crash test. From this group, five of the seven earned good ratings, while one earned a marginal rating, and the other received a poor rating.
The BMW X1, Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain, Jeep Compass, and Mitsubishi Outlander all earned good ratings in the passenger-side small overlap front crash test. For the 2018 model year, the Chevrolet Equinox shed some weight, so it was moved from the midsize SUV category over to the small SUV class. The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport meanwhile earned a marginal rating, while the Ford Escape earned poor.
SEE ALSO: IIHS Introduces New Criteria for 2018 Top Safety Pick Award
In order to qualify for a 2018 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, a vehicle must earn a good or acceptable passenger-side rating, along with having good-rated headlights. To earn a Top Safety Pick award, vehicles must have good ratings in the driver-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraint tests, as well as an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention, and at least acceptable-rated headlights.
The Mitsubishi Outlander joins eight other small SUVs to qualify for a 2018 Top Safety Pick award. Unfortunately no small SUV has earned the Top Safety Pick+ award, mainly because they fall short of a good rating for headlights.
In addition, none of the newly-tested 2018 models earns better than acceptable marks for structure. So far, the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 are the only small SUVs that have been evaluated to earn a good rating for structure in the passenger-side overlap front test.
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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