Cars & EVsbreaking news
IIHS tightens its moderate overlap crash test, and the Audi Q3 and Toyota RAV4 miss out
A rear-seat dummy in a test that is hard to pass cost the Audi Q3 a Top Safety Pick, while the Nissan Kicks won one after a seat belt fix.
A Poor rating despite Good everywhere else
The redesigned 2026 Audi Q3 received a 'Poor' rating in the IIHS moderate overlap front test, and the rating also applies to 2027 models. [1] That sank its Top Safety Pick bid even though it earned 'Good' ratings in every other category. [1] If you are shopping for one of these crossovers, the moderate overlap result is the one to check. [1]
A 'Good' rating in the moderate overlap front test is a requirement for the Top Safety Pick award. [1] IIHS recently tested the Audi Q3, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Nissan Kicks, and Toyota RAV4 in hybrid and plug-in hybrid forms. [1] The ratings outcomes were determined by the recently updated moderate overlap front crash test. [1]
How the results split
The Nissan Kicks earned a 2026 Top Safety Pick award, one rung below the highest Top Safety Pick+. [1] It had failed to earn one when the current generation debuted for the 2025 model year. [1] The Audi Q3, Chevrolet Trailblazer and Toyota RAV4 received no award. [1]
The Kicks initially received the lowest 'Poor' rating in the moderate overlap front test. [1] Changes to the rear seat belts on cars built after June 2026, including 2026 and 2027 models, earned it a top 'Good' score when retested. [1]
The redesigned 2026 Toyota RAV4 earned 'Good' ratings in everything except the moderate overlap front test. [1] The standard hybrid was rated 'Acceptable' there, and plug-in hybrid models received a lower 'Marginal' rating. [1]
The Chevrolet Trailblazer received a 'Poor' rating in the moderate overlap test. [1] It also received low ratings in several other areas, including headlights and front-crash prevention technology. [1]
What the test does
In the moderate overlap test, a car collides with a barrier at 40 mph with only a portion of the front end making contact. [1] IIHS changed the test in 2022 to better account for rear-occupant safety. [1] It introduced a rear-seat dummy to assess protection of people sitting behind the driver. [2]
Since that change, the test has proven to be a tough one to pass. [1] 'Good' is the highest of four crashworthiness grades, ahead of Acceptable, Marginal and Poor. [2]
Earning 'Good' in every crash test does not automatically qualify a car for Top Safety Pick+. [2] That award also considers headlights and crash-prevention technology. [2]
Why IIHS can move faster than NHTSA
The IIHS uses insurance companies' money and data to design more thorough crash tests that can be implemented without an act of Congress. [1] NHTSA is restricted by limited budgets and by standards determined by the legislative process. [1]
Because IIHS tests change over time, automakers are often caught out by updated tests. [1] The Q3, RAV4 and Kicks results fit that pattern. [1]
Who has passed
Several models have cleared the updated bar. [2] The 2025 Honda Accord earned Top Safety Pick+ with 'Good' ratings in the small overlap front, updated moderate overlap front and updated side tests. [2] The 2025 Mazda3 hatchback earned Top Safety Pick+ and 'Good' overall ratings in all three principal IIHS crashworthiness categories. [2]
The 2025 and 2026 Toyota Camry models earned Top Safety Pick+. [2] The current-generation Camry uses a hybrid powertrain across its U.S. lineup. [2] The 2025 Honda Civic hatchback earned Top Safety Pick+, while the Civic sedan earned the lower-tier Top Safety Pick for 2025. [2]
What this means for you
If you are considering a Kicks, build date matters, because the top 'Good' score applies to cars built after June 2026. [1] That includes 2026 and 2027 models. [1]
If you are looking at a RAV4, the powertrain matters: the standard hybrid was rated 'Acceptable' in the moderate overlap test, and the plug-in hybrid 'Marginal'. [1] If you are looking at a Q3, the 'Poor' rating applies to 2026 and 2027 models. [1]
For any model, the moderate overlap result is the first rating to check, since a 'Good' there is required for a Top Safety Pick. [1] Top Safety Pick+ also looks at headlights and crash-prevention technology. [2]
Sources
Written from the sources above and checked twice before publishing. How we work · Report an error
.png){kind=link}
