For families, vehicle safety isn’t just a feature—it’s a top priority. Knowing your car can protect your loved ones in the event of an accident provides invaluable peace of mind. This is where organizations like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) play a crucial role. Their rigorous testing helps car buyers make informed decisions, steering them away from vehicles that may pose higher risks in collisions. Especially for those of us who regularly drive with precious cargo – our children – understanding these safety ratings is paramount.
If you’re interested in a deeper dive into IIHS testing methodologies, you can explore a comprehensive breakdown in my previous post – IIHS Top Safety Picks: Which Family Cars Made The List.
Why the IIHS Focuses on SUV Safety Testing
The rising popularity of full-size SUVs has prompted the IIHS to extend its testing to this vehicle category. Over the past decade, these larger vehicles have become increasingly common choices for families. Recognizing this trend, the IIHS has begun to assess their safety performance, providing crucial insights for consumers. It’s a welcome development, ensuring that families who rely on these spacious vehicles have access to independent safety evaluations.
It’s important to remember that all vehicles legally sold in the U.S. must undergo mandatory government crash tests. These tests establish a baseline level of safety. However, the IIHS goes further, conducting more demanding evaluations to identify potential safety weaknesses and offer consumers a clearer picture of vehicle safety beyond the basic legal requirements.
2024 IIHS Full-Size SUV Safety Ratings: An Overview
The initial round of IIHS testing for full-size SUVs in 2024 focused on three popular models: the Jeep Wagoneer, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Ford Expedition. These SUVs are frequently recommended for families, and in some cases, even part of our own family fleets. Let’s examine how they fared in the IIHS safety assessments:
Jeep Wagoneer:
- Emerging as the strongest performer, the Jeep Wagoneer earned the coveted 2024 Top Safety Pick award.
- However, to achieve the highest distinction of Top Safety Pick+, it still needs to enhance backseat passenger protection.
Chevrolet Tahoe:
- The Chevrolet Tahoe received mixed ratings, with an “Acceptable” score in the driver-side small overlap crash test but a concerning “Poor” rating in the passenger-side counterpart.
- Testing revealed significant vulnerabilities in lower leg protection for front occupants and inadequate backseat passenger safety.
- Pedestrian crash avoidance capabilities were deemed “Marginal” due to subpar nighttime visibility and headlight performance.
Ford Expedition (My Personal Vehicle):
- The Ford Expedition, a vehicle I personally drive, received a “Marginal” rating in the small overlap crash test, primarily due to structural integrity issues.
- Similar to the other models, backseat passenger safety remains an area needing improvement.
- While pedestrian crash avoidance was rated “Good,” headlight performance could be enhanced.
A Detailed Look at IIHS Safety Test Results by SUV Model
While the overall results might not be entirely surprising, a deeper dive into the specific test outcomes for each full-size SUV is essential. Even though two of these vehicles didn’t secure an IIHS Top Safety Pick award, understanding the reasons behind these ratings is crucial before making assumptions about your current vehicle or a potential future purchase.
For a visual explanation of the safety performance breakdown for each SUV, you can watch the IIHS News video here: watch the video here.
Chevrolet Tahoe
Small Overlap Front Crash Test:
- Driver-Side Test: The Tahoe effectively maintained the driver’s survival space. However, significant footwell intrusion was observed, indicating a high risk of lower leg injuries for the driver.
- Passenger-Side Test: The passenger side performance was even more concerning. Severe footwell intrusion posed a high injury risk to the right foot and a moderate risk to the left leg of the front passenger.
Updated Moderate Overlap Front Test:
- Analysis of the backseat dummy readings revealed a significant risk of head and neck injuries for rear passengers. Furthermore, the seatbelt shifted position during the crash, elevating the potential for abdominal and chest injuries.
Pedestrian Crash Avoidance Test:
- The Tahoe received a “Marginal” rating in pedestrian crash avoidance. The vehicle failed to adequately decelerate or avoid hitting the pedestrian dummy in nighttime simulations. The standard headlights’ inadequate illumination contributed to diminished visibility of pedestrians in low-light conditions.
Ford Expedition
Small Overlap Front Crash Test:
- Driver-Side Test: The Expedition’s structural integrity proved insufficient in this test. Components like the steering column and A-pillar exhibited detachment. Significant footwell intrusion created a high risk of injury to the driver’s right leg.
- Passenger-Side Test: While also showing footwell intrusion, the passenger side demonstrated a slightly better outcome compared to the driver’s side.
Updated Moderate Overlap Front Test:
- Data from the backseat dummy indicated a heightened risk of chest injuries due to excessive seatbelt forces. Despite incorporating advanced safety technologies, their effectiveness in this specific scenario was limited.
Jeep Wagoneer
Small Overlap Front Crash Test:
- Driver-Side Test: The Wagoneer effectively preserved the occupant space for both the driver and front passenger. Minor footwell intrusion presented only a minimal injury risk to the driver’s left foot and ankle.
- Passenger-Side Test: Airbag deployment was effective in safeguarding the dummies’ heads, and no other substantial injury risks were identified.
Updated Moderate Overlap Front Test:
- Similar to the Expedition, the backseat dummy in the Wagoneer registered a relatively high risk of chest injuries stemming from seatbelt forces.
Pedestrian Crash Avoidance Test:
- The Wagoneer demonstrated strong performance in pedestrian crash avoidance, successfully preventing collisions with the pedestrian dummy in the majority of tests, across both daytime and nighttime conditions. Enhanced headlight performance contributed to its superior results in these evaluations.
Kelly’s Takeaway for Families
While it’s natural to hope for top-tier safety performance across all large SUVs, the IIHS results reveal areas for improvement. The findings, honestly, were a bit surprising. However, am I concerned about driving my Ford Expedition Max this weekend? Not really, and you likely shouldn’t be overly worried about your current family SUV either.
Ultimately, we can only manage what’s within our control. Prioritizing responsible driving habits, ensuring everyone is correctly buckled up, and using car seats properly are crucial steps every family can take to maximize safety on the road.
My hope is that these IIHS findings serve as a catalyst for automakers to make meaningful safety enhancements in future SUV models. Safety should always be a paramount concern, and these new insights pave the way for the development of even safer vehicles for families in the years to come.
