2026 IIHS Crash Test: Six Vehicles Tested in Major Safety Comparison

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in America has put six popular vehicles through its rigorous 2026 crash test evaluations, revealing a mix of strong front-impact results and surprising vulnerabilities regarding rear-seat protection.

The Nissan Kicks earned top marks following a safety update, specifically improving moderate overlap front crash performance for rear passengers thanks to revised rear seats and seatbelts. However, this Top Safety Pick award applies exclusively to vehicles built after June 2026.

The compact SUV also delivered convincing results in the small overlap front crash and side crash, alongside good ratings for headlights and pedestrian automatic emergency braking, though vehicle-to-vehicle collision avoidance was rated only moderate.

The Toyota RAV4 demonstrated a high level of safety overall, scoring the top ‘Good’ rating in both the small overlap front crash and side crash tests.

In the updated moderate overlap front test, it achieved an ‘Acceptable’ rating, highlighted by criticism regarding rear seat passenger protection.

Standard safety tech on the RAV4, including automatic emergency braking for vehicles and pedestrians, good headlights, and easy-to-use child seat attachments, performed well. The Audi Q3 presented a mixed performance in the IIHS testing.

While it secured the top ‘Good’ rating in both the small overlap front crash and side crash, it stumbled in the updated moderate overlap front test, receiving a poor rating due to problematic rear seat passenger protection caused by an unconvincing rear restraint system, despite a stable passenger compartment and good driver measurements. Active safety features, headlights, and seatbelt reminders on the Q3 received positive evaluations.

The Toyota RAV4 Plug-in-Hybrid also faced the IIHS evaluations, delivering effective occupant protection and a stable passenger cell in the small overlap front crash and side crash.

Like its non-plug-in sibling, it faltered in the updated moderate overlap front test where reviewers criticized rear restraint safety, noting that the seatbelt could slide unfavorably toward the neck during a crash.

Standard automatic emergency braking for vehicles and pedestrians and the headlights on the PHEV were rated positively.