--- title: "IIHS tightens its moderate overlap crash test, and the Audi Q3 and Toyota RAV4 miss out" description: "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." url: https://cars.skoop.news/iihs-put-a-bunch-of-crossovers-through-its-updated-crash-tes-f7f977/ published: 2026-10-24T19:16:48.000022-04:00 modified: 2026-10-24T19:16:48.000048-04:00 section: "Cars & EVs" publisher: "skoop.news" language: en keywords: ["Top Safety Pick", "Audi Q3", "Chevrolet Trailblazer", "Toyota RAV4", "Nissan Kicks", "Honda Accord", "Good'", "IIHS", "Poor'", "Acceptable'"] hashtags: ["#TopSafetyPick", "#AudiQ3", "#ChevroletTrailblazer", "#Car", "#cars"] image: https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/Ford_experimental_electric_car_%281914%29.jpg/1280px-Ford_experimental_electric_car_%281914%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail --- # 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. Published 2026-10-24 · Updated 2026-10-24 · Cars & EVs, [skoop.news](https://skoop.news/) ## In brief - 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]](https://www.thedrive.com/news/iihs-put-a-bunch-of-crossovers-through-its-updated-crash-test-only-one-was-good) - The Nissan Kicks earned a 2026 Top Safety Pick award, one rung below the highest Top Safety Pick+. [[1]](https://www.thedrive.com/news/iihs-put-a-bunch-of-crossovers-through-its-updated-crash-test-only-one-was-good) - 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]](https://www.thedrive.com/news/iihs-put-a-bunch-of-crossovers-through-its-updated-crash-test-only-one-was-good) ## 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]](https://www.thedrive.com/news/iihs-put-a-bunch-of-crossovers-through-its-updated-crash-test-only-one-was-good) That sank its Top Safety Pick bid even though it earned 'Good' ratings in every other category. [[1]](https://www.thedrive.com/news/iihs-put-a-bunch-of-crossovers-through-its-updated-crash-test-only-one-was-good) If you are shopping for one of these crossovers, the moderate overlap result is the one to check. [[1]](https://www.thedrive.com/news/iihs-put-a-bunch-of-crossovers-through-its-updated-crash-test-only-one-was-good) A 'Good' rating in the moderate overlap front test is a requirement for the Top Safety Pick award. [[1]](https://www.thedrive.com/news/iihs-put-a-bunch-of-crossovers-through-its-updated-crash-test-only-one-was-good) IIHS recently tested the Audi Q3, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Nissan Kicks, and Toyota RAV4 in hybrid and plug-in hybrid forms. [[1]](https://www.thedrive.com/news/iihs-put-a-bunch-of-crossovers-through-its-updated-crash-test-only-one-was-good) The ratings outcomes were determined by the recently updated moderate overlap front crash test. [[1]](https://www.thedrive.com/news/iihs-put-a-bunch-of-crossovers-through-its-updated-crash-test-only-one-was-good) ## How the results split The Nissan Kicks earned a 2026 Top Safety Pick award, one rung below the highest Top Safety Pick+. [[1]](https://www.thedrive.com/news/iihs-put-a-bunch-of-crossovers-through-its-updated-crash-test-only-one-was-good) It had failed to earn one when the current generation debuted for the 2025 model year. [[1]](https://www.thedrive.com/news/iihs-put-a-bunch-of-crossovers-through-its-updated-crash-test-only-one-was-good) The Audi Q3, Chevrolet Trailblazer and Toyota RAV4 received no award. [[1]](https://www.thedrive.com/news/iihs-put-a-bunch-of-crossovers-through-its-updated-crash-test-only-one-was-good) The Kicks initially received the lowest 'Poor' rating in the moderate overlap front test. [[1]](https://www.thedrive.com/news/iihs-put-a-bunch-of-crossovers-through-its-updated-crash-test-only-one-was-good) 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]](https://www.thedrive.com/news/iihs-put-a-bunch-of-crossovers-through-its-updated-crash-test-only-one-was-good) The redesigned 2026 Toyota RAV4 earned 'Good' ratings in everything except the moderate overlap front test. [[1]](https://www.thedrive.com/news/iihs-put-a-bunch-of-crossovers-through-its-updated-crash-test-only-one-was-good) The standard hybrid was rated 'Acceptable' there, and plug-in hybrid models received a lower 'Marginal' rating. [[1]](https://www.thedrive.com/news/iihs-put-a-bunch-of-crossovers-through-its-updated-crash-test-only-one-was-good) The Chevrolet Trailblazer received a 'Poor' rating in the moderate overlap test. [[1]](https://www.thedrive.com/news/iihs-put-a-bunch-of-crossovers-through-its-updated-crash-test-only-one-was-good) It also received low ratings in several other areas, including headlights and front-crash prevention technology. [[1]](https://www.thedrive.com/news/iihs-put-a-bunch-of-crossovers-through-its-updated-crash-test-only-one-was-good) ## 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]](https://www.thedrive.com/news/iihs-put-a-bunch-of-crossovers-through-its-updated-crash-test-only-one-was-good) IIHS changed the test in 2022 to better account for rear-occupant safety. [[1]](https://www.thedrive.com/news/iihs-put-a-bunch-of-crossovers-through-its-updated-crash-test-only-one-was-good) It introduced a rear-seat dummy to assess protection of people sitting behind the driver. [[2]](https://daxstreet.com/cars/432734/6-cars-that-scored-good-in-every-iihs-crash-test/) Since that change, the test has proven to be a tough one to pass. [[1]](https://www.thedrive.com/news/iihs-put-a-bunch-of-crossovers-through-its-updated-crash-test-only-one-was-good) 'Good' is the highest of four crashworthiness grades, ahead of Acceptable, Marginal and Poor. [[2]](https://daxstreet.com/cars/432734/6-cars-that-scored-good-in-every-iihs-crash-test/) Earning 'Good' in every crash test does not automatically qualify a car for Top Safety Pick+. [[2]](https://daxstreet.com/cars/432734/6-cars-that-scored-good-in-every-iihs-crash-test/) That award also considers headlights and crash-prevention technology. [[2]](https://daxstreet.com/cars/432734/6-cars-that-scored-good-in-every-iihs-crash-test/) ## 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]](https://www.thedrive.com/news/iihs-put-a-bunch-of-crossovers-through-its-updated-crash-test-only-one-was-good) NHTSA is restricted by limited budgets and by standards determined by the legislative process. [[1]](https://www.thedrive.com/news/iihs-put-a-bunch-of-crossovers-through-its-updated-crash-test-only-one-was-good) Because IIHS tests change over time, automakers are often caught out by updated tests. [[1]](https://www.thedrive.com/news/iihs-put-a-bunch-of-crossovers-through-its-updated-crash-test-only-one-was-good) The Q3, RAV4 and Kicks results fit that pattern. [[1]](https://www.thedrive.com/news/iihs-put-a-bunch-of-crossovers-through-its-updated-crash-test-only-one-was-good) ## Who has passed Several models have cleared the updated bar. [[2]](https://daxstreet.com/cars/432734/6-cars-that-scored-good-in-every-iihs-crash-test/) 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]](https://daxstreet.com/cars/432734/6-cars-that-scored-good-in-every-iihs-crash-test/) The 2025 Mazda3 hatchback earned Top Safety Pick+ and 'Good' overall ratings in all three principal IIHS crashworthiness categories. [[2]](https://daxstreet.com/cars/432734/6-cars-that-scored-good-in-every-iihs-crash-test/) The 2025 and 2026 Toyota Camry models earned Top Safety Pick+. [[2]](https://daxstreet.com/cars/432734/6-cars-that-scored-good-in-every-iihs-crash-test/) The current-generation Camry uses a hybrid powertrain across its U.S. lineup. [[2]](https://daxstreet.com/cars/432734/6-cars-that-scored-good-in-every-iihs-crash-test/) The 2025 Honda Civic hatchback earned Top Safety Pick+, while the Civic sedan earned the lower-tier Top Safety Pick for 2025. [[2]](https://daxstreet.com/cars/432734/6-cars-that-scored-good-in-every-iihs-crash-test/) ## 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]](https://www.thedrive.com/news/iihs-put-a-bunch-of-crossovers-through-its-updated-crash-test-only-one-was-good) That includes 2026 and 2027 models. [[1]](https://www.thedrive.com/news/iihs-put-a-bunch-of-crossovers-through-its-updated-crash-test-only-one-was-good) 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]](https://www.thedrive.com/news/iihs-put-a-bunch-of-crossovers-through-its-updated-crash-test-only-one-was-good) If you are looking at a Q3, the 'Poor' rating applies to 2026 and 2027 models. [[1]](https://www.thedrive.com/news/iihs-put-a-bunch-of-crossovers-through-its-updated-crash-test-only-one-was-good) 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]](https://www.thedrive.com/news/iihs-put-a-bunch-of-crossovers-through-its-updated-crash-test-only-one-was-good) Top Safety Pick+ also looks at headlights and crash-prevention technology. [[2]](https://daxstreet.com/cars/432734/6-cars-that-scored-good-in-every-iihs-crash-test/) ## Sources 1. [IIHS Put a Bunch of Crossovers Through Its Updated Crash Test. Only One Was ‘Good’](https://www.thedrive.com/news/iihs-put-a-bunch-of-crossovers-through-its-updated-crash-test-only-one-was-good) — The Drive 2. [6 Cars That Scored “Good” in Every IIHS Crash Test - DAX Street](https://daxstreet.com/cars/432734/6-cars-that-scored-good-in-every-iihs-crash-test/) — DAX Street Image: Photo (illustrative): Unknown authorUnknown author / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ford_experimental_electric_car_(1914).jpg) --- Written from the sources above and checked twice (rules and an independent model) before publishing. How we work: https://skoop.news/how-we-work/ · Corrections: https://skoop.news/corrections/