Blog

Aug 05, 2023

Only One Midsized Sedan Gets Top Scores in New IIHS Crash Test

Of seven popular models, just the Honda Accord got a rating of Good in a new IIHS test that evaluates safety for rear-seat passengers In new crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Of seven popular models, just the Honda Accord got a rating of Good in a new IIHS test that evaluates safety for rear-seat passengers

In new crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), only one midsized sedan protected rear-seat passengers well enough to earn the highest overall rating of Good.

The recently redesigned 2023 Honda Accord, which starts at $27,295, came out tops in the latest round of testing from the safety group, which is funded by the insurance industry. The Subaru Outback—a wagonlike SUV that’s a sibling of the Legacy sedan—earned an Acceptable overall rating, while the Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry earned Marginal ratings. The Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, and Volkswagen Jetta earned a Poor rating, the lowest overall.

Although many of these vehicles earned higher ratings in prior model years, these ratings reflect the results of the IIHS updated “moderate overlap” crash test, which represents when the front corners of two vehicles driving in opposite directions hit each other at 40 mph, as if a car drifted across the center line of a roadway. The updated test also now features a dummy in the second row that represents a small woman or a 12-year-old child, which more closely matches the average size of a rear-seat passenger than other dummies available.

All of the tested vehicles did well in protecting the driver, but most lagged behind in rear-seat safety. In the Altima, Camry, K5, and Sonata, the rear dummy “submarined,” sliding forward beneath the lap belt. This could increase the risk of internal injuries. In addition, the rear shoulder belt slid off the shoulder toward the dummy’s neck. In the Jetta, the rear passenger’s head came too close to the back of the front seat. For the three vehicles with a Poor rating, the test results show a likely risk of head, neck, and chest injuries for rear passengers.

Photo: IIHS Photo: IIHS

This is the fifth round of vehicles the IIHS has put through the updated evaluation, and the results are similar to tests on small and midsized SUVs, small cars, and pickup trucks. According to Emily Thomas, manager of auto safety at CR’s Auto Test Center, the results show that automakers need to pay more attention to rear-seat safety.

“Although drivers and front passengers have benefited from safety advances in recent years, those advances have not been equally distributed to backseat passengers,” Thomas says.

In fact, the IIHS reports that in newer vehicles, occupants wearing rear seat belts have a higher risk of fatal injury in a crash than those in front, not because the rear seat has become less safe but because front-seat safety has improved so much.

Photo: IIHS Photo: IIHS

CR also evaluates rear-seat safety features as part of our ratings program. These include child car seat and booster seat fit, crash-protection features intended for rear occupants of all ages and sizes, and technology designed to encourage rear seat belt use and prevent kids from dying in hot cars. One thing hasn’t changed: Regardless of how a car scores in these tests, the rear seat is still the safest place for children under 13.

Despite how few cars have excelled in the new rear-seat crash test, Thomas says that car buyers should expect newer models to perform better as automakers redesign their vehicles to achieve top ratings.

“It’s tests like these that encourage automakers to make design changes that improve safety for occupants,” she says.

Keith Barry

Keith Barry has been an auto reporter at Consumer Reports since 2018. He focuses on safety, technology, and the environmental impact of cars. Previously, he led home and appliance coverage at Reviewed; reported on cars for USA Today, Wired, and Car & Driver; and wrote for other publications as well. Keith earned a master’s degree in public health from Tufts University. Follow him on Twitter @itskeithbarry.