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The IIHS tested the Audi Q3, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Nissan Kicks and Toyota RAV4 under its updated moderate-overlap front crash test. The Nissan Kicks earned a Good rating after rear seat-belt changes; the other crossovers received Poor, Acceptable or Marginal ratings, and none of the tested models qualified for a Top Safety Pick award in the reported results.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says the Nissan Kicks is the only one of four recently tested crossovers to earn a Good rating in its updated moderate-overlap front crash test. The Audi Q3 and Chevrolet Trailblazer were rated Poor; the Toyota RAV4 received an Acceptable rating with its hybrid powertrain and Marginal with its plug-in hybrid. The results affect eligibility for the institute’s Top Safety Pick awards.
The test simulates a vehicle striking a barrier at 40 mph, with only part of its front end making contact. IIHS updated the test in 2022 to better measure protection for people sitting in the rear. A Good rating in this test is required for a vehicle to qualify for either of the institute’s Top Safety Pick awards, according to the report.
The Kicks had previously earned a Poor rating in the test. IIHS awarded a Good after Nissan changed the rear seat belts on vehicles built after June 2026; the rating covers those vehicles, including 2026 and 2027 models. The Kicks received a 2026 Top Safety Pick award, one level below Top Safety Pick+.
The redesigned 2026 Audi Q3 received a Poor rating in the test, with the result also applying to 2027 models. The redesigned 2026 Toyota RAV4 received an Acceptable rating in its standard hybrid form and a Marginal rating as a plug-in hybrid. The Trailblazer also received a Poor rating and had low marks in other areas, including headlights and front crash-prevention technology, the report said. The source does not identify an award for any of these three models.
Rear-Seat Protection Shapes Awards
The results show how one specific crash-test requirement can affect a vehicle’s overall IIHS award eligibility, even when it performs well in other parts of the evaluation. For the Q3 and RAV4, the moderate-overlap result was the sole reported test area preventing a Top Safety Pick award; the Trailblazer also had shortcomings elsewhere.
For shoppers comparing crossovers, the ratings offer a model- and configuration-specific signal about rear-seat protection in this test. The Kicks result also shows that changes to a vehicle’s restraint system can alter its rating after an earlier poor performance. These ratings do not establish how every model will perform in every real-world crash, and they should be read alongside the full set of safety results.
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IIHS Raised the Test Standard
IIHS is an insurance-industry-backed nonprofit that develops and runs vehicle safety tests. Its evaluations are separate from those conducted by the federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The institute can revise its test procedures without an act of Congress, and the source report says updated criteria have at times challenged automakers to change vehicle designs.
The moderate-overlap test was revised in 2022 to account more closely for risks to rear-seat occupants. The latest results reported here illustrate the effect of that update: a vehicle’s performance in the test can depend on how well its rear restraints manage a crash, not just on protection for front-seat occupants.
“Good”
— IIHS, as described in The Drive report
Details Beyond the Ratings
The source report does not provide full crash-test measurements, explain the specific injury or restraint outcomes behind each rating, or give automakers’ responses. It also does not detail when Audi, Chevrolet or Toyota might make changes to address the results. The reported ratings should not be taken as a complete comparison of overall vehicle safety because each model was evaluated across multiple categories.
The report says the Kicks’ updated rating applies to vehicles built after June 2026, but it does not specify how buyers can identify the relevant production change from a particular vehicle’s documents. Prospective buyers should check the IIHS’s current model-specific results and verify the vehicle’s configuration and build information.
Automakers May Revise Models
The immediate next step is whether Audi, Chevrolet and Toyota make changes that improve performance in the moderate-overlap test. The source report expresses hope that they will follow Nissan’s example, but it gives no announced repair or redesign plans from those manufacturers.
IIHS may publish further ratings or retest vehicles after manufacturers make changes. Buyers should consult current IIHS ratings for the exact model year and powertrain they are considering, since the RAV4 results differed between hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions.
Key Questions
Which crossover earned a Good rating in the updated IIHS test?
The Nissan Kicks earned a Good rating after Nissan changed the rear seat belts on vehicles built after June 2026.
How did the Audi Q3, Toyota RAV4 and Chevrolet Trailblazer score?
The Audi Q3 and Chevrolet Trailblazer received Poor ratings. The RAV4 received Acceptable with its standard hybrid powertrain and Marginal as a plug-in hybrid.
What does the IIHS moderate-overlap test measure?
It simulates a vehicle hitting a barrier at 40 mph, with only part of the front end making contact. IIHS updated the test in 2022 to better account for rear-occupant safety.
Did the Nissan Kicks receive an IIHS award?
Yes. The Kicks received a 2026 Top Safety Pick award, one level below Top Safety Pick+. The report says a Good rating in the moderate-overlap test is required for either award.
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