New crash data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has revealed that some midsize SUVs may not be as safe as previously believed, particularly for rear passengers.
The study focused on 13 midsize SUVs with model years ranging from 2021 to 2023 and subjected them to 40 mph crashes to assess their safety performance.
Unfortunately, of the 13 vehicles tested, six scored poorly, including the Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade, Jeep Grand Cherokee (four-door), Mazda CX-9, and Nissan Murano.
Only two midsize SUVs, the Ford Mustang Mach e and Tesla Model Y, received good ratings for head, neck, and chest injuries.
The study used belted dummies to represent a small woman or 12-year-old child sitting in the second row directly behind the driver.
The researchers emphasized the importance of wearing seat belts as the most effective way to protect occupants from needless injuries and fatalities in car accidents.
