Subaru Forester Secures Highest Rating in Updated IIHS Crash Prevention Test
May 13 2024,
The 2024 Subaru Forester has emerged as the sole model to secure the top rating in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) new vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention test. This rigorous assessment now includes scenarios involving higher speeds and varied types of vehicles such as motorcycles and large trucks.
The IIHS has revamped its testing protocol to better reflect the conditions of more severe front-to-rear crashes commonly reported by police. Unlike previous evaluations which were limited to impacts at 12 and 25 mph (19 and 40 km/h), the updated test expands to include speeds of 31, 37, and 43 mph (50, 60, and 69 km/h). This change aims to provide a more accurate measure of a vehicle's capability to prevent or mitigate high-speed accidents.
During this evaluation, vehicles undergo multiple trials against different targets representing a standard passenger car, a motorcycle, and a semitrailer. Each test assesses the effectiveness of the vehicle's forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems at various speeds. To pass, the systems must deliver alerts at least 2.1 seconds before a potential collision and significantly reduce speed to avoid impacts.
The 2024 Forester excelled in these tests, avoiding collisions with the passenger car target at all tested speeds. It successfully prevented accidents with the motorcycle target at speeds of 31 and 37 mph and demonstrated considerable slowing capability in the highest speed test. The Forester also met the required warning timings across all scenarios, reinforcing its superior performance in the realm of crash prevention.
This achievement demonstrates the continuous dedication of Subaru to vehicle safety, with the Forester maintaining its status as an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK for the seventeenth consecutive year. Furthermore, Subaru holds a leading position in safety accolades, having garnered the highest number of IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards since 2013.
With its robust safety features, the Forester combines SUV versatility and car-like handling. It offers a comfortable ride with 8.7 inches of ground clearance—9.2 inches in the Forester Wilderness variant—making it a practical choice for both adventure and everyday convenience.
