Only one small SUV rated good in crash prevention tests [Video]

New, tougher crash tests show room for improvement as only one of 10 popular SUVs got a good rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The tests focused specifically on front crash protection systems now in most new vehicles.

“Front crash protection systems are highly effective in the real world. They reduce crashes by 50%,” said David Aylor with IIHS. “Many of these systems are not as effective when the struck vehicle is a motorcycle or large truck.”

Those can be the deadliest rear-end crashes when a car hits the undercarriage of a semi or a vulnerable cyclist gets slammed by a car.

IIHS raised the bar by increasing speeds and adding motorcycle and large trucks as targets, in addition to cars.

They tested 10 small 2023-24 SUVs.

“The evaluation is based on the vehicle’s ability to provide appropriate warning to drivers as well as the ability to avoid or mitigate a crash,” Aylor said.

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