These 10 SUVs Have a Terrible Safety Rating In a Key Area

The SUV has long been embraced by car buyers as a safe vehicle, whether for hauling the family around town or for taking long trips. In the early ‘90s, as these vehicles became one of the most popular models ever made, various issues surfaced. One of these risks did not, however, affect passengers inside of the SUV, but rather people passing by. Studies found an increase in driveway fatalities. A disproportionate number of children were being hit. This happened because the driver could not see obstacles behind the vehicle. Today, that is somewhat remedied by the backup camera. In fact, this is largely why the rearview camera was mandated in 2018. At the time, approximately 200 people were being killed in driveways each year.

During the rollover crisis featuring the Ford Explorer sales of SUVs continued unabated. At the time, structural engineering caused certain SUVs to be top-heavy, not only the Ford Explorer. Yet, people continued to choose SUVs for their comfort and practicality.

Safety issues with large SUV models persist. Just recently, an IIHS report shows cyclists who get hit by an SUV are more likely to be killed. The high profile front end in SUVs is to blame. This was the same for back-up accidents, a high profile blocked the rear view.

In the last two years, the IIHS is finding SUVs are not protecting rear passengers in crash test studies. Even those SUVs that had perfect crash test results previously. In most cases, the driver and front passenger fare well, but backseat occupants, whether it be children or elderly, do not. Here, we have a list of small and midsize SUVs tested by the IIHS. These vehicles performed lowest in a new crash test introduced by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Previously the organization tested only front-seat passenger dummies, this one adds a rear passenger dummy.

Honda HR-V

The 2021 and 2022 Honda HR-V scored poorly in the December 2022 IIHS testing round. Overall, it received the worst safety score possible with a “Poor” rating in the revised moderate overlap front crash metrics. This vehicle was one of two cited for a serious rear seat safety belt concern. The lap belt slid upward during impact causing the IIHS-called “submarining” effect, leaving the abdominal area and soft organ tissues vulnerable to injury. These crash tests...