The New Tougher IIHS Safety Test - Which Subaru Model Scores Best And Worst Now?

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently launched a much tougher overlap front crash test focused on rear-seat protection. The driver and front passenger protection is excellent for Subaru SUVs, but what about passengers in the rear seat? Which Subaru SUV scores the best for the new models? 

The new test is much more challenging for SUVs to pass, and the IIHS test lets customers know what happens to the rear passengers in the event of a crash. Here is how the 2023 Subaru Outback, Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent score and which model is the best and the worst.

The Subaru Outback

How does the 2023 Subaru Outback compare with other midsize cars in rear passenger crash protection? The Outback is the latest Subaru model to be tested. In the new, more challenging moderate overlap front crash test from the IIHS, the Outback midsize SUV (ranked with midsize cars) earned an "Acceptable" rating for rear passenger safety.

The IIHS tested seven midsize cars, including the Subaru Outback. Only one of the six midsize cars IIHS tested earned a "Good" rating—the Honda Accord sedan. The Subaru Outback scored the next best and made an "Acceptable" grade. The Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry are rated "Marginal." The Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, and Volkswagen Jetta are rated “Poor."

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The IIHS also recently tested the 2023 Subaru Forester, 2023 Subaru Crosstrek, and 2023 Subaru Ascent for rear passenger safety.

How does the Forester compact SUV score in rear passenger protection?

The 2023 Subaru Forester scored only "Marginal" in rear passenger head protection. 

The Forester scored only "Marginal" in rear passenger head protection. There's more information from the IIHS data. The new IIHS and Consumer Reports report say that rear passengers are less protected than front passengers in real-world crashes. Especially in the head and neck areas, the most vulnerable areas of the body.

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The Ford Escape and Volvo XC40 protect the rear occupant best and earn a "Good" rating. The Toyota RAV4 earns an "Acceptable" rating, and the Audi Q3, Nissan Rogue, and Subaru Forester are rated "Marginal."

Subaru Crosstrek

The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek subcompact SUV earned a "Poor" rating for rear passenger safety. 

How does the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek compare with other small SUVs in rear passenger crash protection? In the new moderate overlap front crash test from the IIHS, the Crosstrek subcompact SUV earned a "Poor" rating for rear passenger safety.

The IIHS tested five small cars, including the Crosstrek. None of the five small cars IIHS tested earned a good rating. The Honda Civic sedan and Toyota Corolla sedan are rated "Acceptable." The Kia Forte, Nissan Sentra, and Subaru Crosstrek are rated “Poor."

Check Out This Related Story: IIHS Rear Seat Crash Protection Update - Subaru Crosstrek Gets A Poor Rating

How does the next-generation 2024 Subaru Crosstrek score?

The Subaru Crosstrek has a ways to go to pass the stricter test. Torque News via Subaru will bring you the latest test results for the all-new 2024 Crosstrek subcompact SUV when released from the IIHS. Stay tuned. 

Subaru Ascent

The Subaru Ascent midsize SUV earned the highest "Good" ratings and excelled at rear passenger safety.

Related Story: Most New Midsize SUVs Fail In Rear Passenger Safety - The Subaru Ascent Excels

According to the IIHS, most new midsize SUVs fail miserably in the latest crash test ratings. Of 13 midsize SUVs tested, only four, the Ford Explorer, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Subaru Ascent, and Tesla Model Y, earn the highest "Good" ratings and excel at rear passenger safety.

Three others, the Chevrolet Traverse, Toyota Highlander, and Volkswagen Atlas, earn "Marginal" ratings and fail. And six more, the Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler 4-door, Mazda CX-9, and Nissan Murano, are rated "Poor" and fail miserably.

The 2023 Subaru Ascent scores the best in the more challenging overlap front crash test focused on rear-seat protection. The Outback is next with an "Acceptable" score, Forester is "Marginal," and Crosstrek gets a "Poor" rating.

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Denis Flierl brings over thirty years of combined auto industry and automotive journalism experience to Torque News readers. He is an accredited Rocky Mountain Automotive Press (RMAP) member. The last twelve years have been spent with Torque News, covering Subaru vehicles and the latest news. Check back daily for his expert Subaru analysis. You'll find the latest stories on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

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