Only the Mazda CX-5 received a high rating. Yikes.
Becky Mueller, Senior Research Engineer at IIHS, says that while these results aren’t perfect, they are in line with what was expected when we adopted the more rigorous test. Mueller’s research was the basis for the new protocol.
Safety As always, Only the Mazda CX-5 received a high rating out of all the models. Nine vehicles were given acceptable ratings: the Audi Q3, Buick Encore and Chevrolet Trax, Honda CR-V. Nissan Rogue, Toyota Venza and Toyota RAV4.
Eight vehicles, however, were rated marginally: the Chevrolet Equinox and Ford Escape, GMC Terrain and Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Compass and Jeep Renegade as well as the Kia Sportage and Lincoln Corsair. The Honda HRV, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross received poor ratings.
The 2021 model year was used for all vehicle models except the Eclipse Cross which was not tested in order to test the 2020 model. IIHS stated that all ratings would carry over to 2022, including the 2022 Mazda CX-5 (pictured above), with the exception of the Compass or the Tucson.
The side crash test has been updated with a heavier barrier moving at a faster speed to simulate striking vehicle. The barrier weighs in at 4,180 pounds (1.896 kilograms) and is now close to the weight of a midsize SUV. The barrier will reach the vehicle at a speed limit of 37 miles an hour (60 km per hour).
It is worth noting that the original side crash test was conducted in 2003. The barrier weighed in at 3,300 pounds (1.497 kg) to hit vehicles at 31 mph (50 km/h).