IIHS Test Shows Automakers Making Strides on Front Crash Prevention

New testing shows progress in advancements in automatic emergency braking systems, with 22 of the latest 30 vehicles evaluated earning a good or acceptable rating, which requires systems to be able to prevent or substantially mitigate crashes at higher speeds, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Good ratings for standard systems were given to vehicles including the Acura ZDX, BMW X5, BMW X6, Cadillac Lyriq, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Genesis GV80, Honda Prologue, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia EV9, Kia Sorento, Lexus NX, Subaru Forester, Toyota Camry, Toyota Crown Signia and Toyota Tacoma, according to the IIHS.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is available with an optional system that also earns a good rating. The standard system on the E-Class as well as those on the Genesis G80, Honda HR-V, Hyundai Sonata, Jeep Wagoneer and Mazda CX-50 were rated acceptable. An optional system available on the Acura MDX also earned an acceptable rating. Its standard system was not evaluated.

The Ford Expedition earned a marginal rating, while the Audi Q7, Audi Q8, Buick Envista, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Trax, Kia Seltos and Nissan Altima are rated poor.

The test includes trials run at 31, 37 and 43 mph (50, 60 and 70 kph). In addition to a passenger car target, the test examines performance with a motorcycle target and a semitrailer. Vehicles are tested with the semitrailer centered in the travel lane and with the car and motorcycle targets centered and offset to one side.

Systems that were rated good delivered timely forward collision warnings and came to a complete stop before impact in all the trials with the passenger car target. They also met those performance standards in most trials with the motorcycle target and provided timely warnings in all the trials with the semitrailer, according to the IIHS.

For vehicles that did not rate as well, the motorcycle tests were the most common stumbling block.

Overall, the acceptable-rated systems brought vehicles to a complete stop before impact and delivered timely warnings in a large majority of the trials. However, their performance was subpar at higher speeds, especially with the motorcycle target. They all failed to prevent a collision with the motorcycle target in the 43 mph test scenarios, in some cases hitting the target at speeds of more than 25 mph, according to the IIHS.

All the poor-rated vehicles hit the motorcycle target in the slowest, 31 mph, test with the target centered. Some barely reduced speed or did not issue timely warnings.

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