When the IIHS announced the introduction of the more stringent side-impact test in October last year, only one out of twenty SUVs tested managed to bag a good rating, while the rest were either rated marginal, or poor. Fast forward to May, 2022, and now ten out of 18 midsize have earned good ratings.
Those ten are the Lincoln Aviator, Subaru Ascent, Ford Explorer, Infiniti QX60, Toyota Highlander, Nissan Pathfinder, Mazda CX-9, Volkswagen Atlas, Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, and the only electric vehicle tested, the Volkswagen ID.4. The Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave managed to eke out acceptable ratings, while the Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, Jeep Wrangler 4-door, Honda Passport, Honda Pilot, and Nissan Murano got a marginal rating.
These results will come as a shock to some manufacturers, especially Kia and Hyundai, whose midsize SUVs, the Telluride and Palisade are considered the darlings of the car safety world.
