IIHS Updates Safety Ratings for 2026 and 2027 Vehicles
New crash test results reveal important details about rear-seat protection for several popular family vehicles.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Car Types
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The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently updated its moderate overlap crash test ratings for several 2026 and 2027 vehicle models. Owners and prospective buyers of the Audi Q3, Toyota RAV4, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Nissan Kicks, and Volkswagen Jetta should review these latest safety performance findings.
Why it matters
These updated ratings are critical for families evaluating vehicle safety, as they specifically highlight performance in rear-seat occupant protection. The results offer homeowners and parents a clear benchmark to assess how different models handle crash scenarios for both adult and child passengers.
The 2026/2027 Nissan Kicks and 2027 Volkswagen Jetta received Good ratings, while the 2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid earned an Acceptable score. Conversely, the 2026 Audi Q3, 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 2026 Toyota RAV4 PHEV were each assigned a Poor rating due to restraint system concerns.
The players
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
An independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization that tests vehicles to reduce deaths, injuries, and property damage from crashes.
Toyota
A global automaker known for a wide variety of passenger vehicles and hybrids that has long prioritized safety testing in its design cycle.
Audi
A luxury automotive manufacturer that produces premium SUVs and sedans while adhering to global safety and performance benchmarks.
The details
The IIHS moderate overlap test evaluates how well a vehicle protects occupants during a frontal crash, using a 50th-percentile male dummy in the driver seat and a 5th-percentile female or child dummy in the rear. In the Audi Q3 and Toyota RAV4, testing revealed that shoulder belts tended to slip toward the dummy neck, potentially reducing effectiveness. Additionally, the Toyota RAV4 PHEV showed the rear lap belt moving from the pelvis onto the abdomen, which significantly increases injury risk during a collision.
Timeline
1995: The IIHS published its first crash test ratings.
October 31, 2026: The IIHS released the latest moderate overlap crash test results.
The Home Front
These results continue the trend of increasingly rigorous vehicle safety evaluations established since the 1995 debut of IIHS crash test ratings. As families prioritize passenger protection, these benchmarks remain a key indicator for insurance premiums and vehicle depreciation trends.
If you are currently researching a vehicle purchase, use the IIHS crash test results and protocol to verify safety ratings for your specific model and trim level. Always consider the backseat restraints and how they accommodate the specific size and needs of your family members.
The takeaway
Safety ratings are a vital tool for families when selecting a new vehicle for household logistics. Before finalizing a purchase, check the safety profile of your intended model on the official IIHS database to ensure it meets your family's protection requirements.
Further reading
For a deeper dive into vehicle safety categories, explore the Car Types section for more context.
More information
Review the full IIHS crash test results and protocol for detailed safety data.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Jalopnik.
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