Unibody crossovers outclass rugged body-on-frame models in new IIHS crash tests
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has just released the results from its latest round of crash tests, involving crossovers from Tesla and Volvo, an SUV from Jeep, and two pickups from the GM stable.
Of the five models tested, only two were able to achieve the agency’s coveted Top Safety Pick+ award, which represents the highest safety standards and good scores across all major crash tests. Let’s take a closer look at the results.
Tesla And Volvo Uphold Great Safety Reputation
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The 2025 Tesla Model Y and 2025 Volvo XC90 Plug-In Hybrid SUVs both attained the Top Safety Pick+ rating. These two automakers are known for producing exceptionally safe vehicles, and these results are further proof of that.
Both models achieved the highest Good scores in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, and side crash tests, along with the same Good rating for their headlights. However, the Model Y got better ratings for its front crash prevention systems, both for avoiding pedestrians and other vehicles, with Good scores in both categories. The XC90 PHEV achieved Acceptable ratings in these categories. It’s worth noting that only XC90 PHEVs built after December 2024 qualify for these ratings.
As a reminder, both the Top Safety Pick + and Top Safety Pick awards require Good ratings in the small overlap front and side tests, an Acceptable or Good rating for the pedestrian crash prevention system, and headlights that are either Good or Acceptable. To unlock the top ‘Plus’ award, a vehicle additionally needs a Good rating for the moderate overlap front test.
Rugged Chevy, GMC, And Jeep Models Miss Out On Top Award
The IIHS also tested 2025 variants of the Chevrolet Colorado crew cab, GMC Canyon crew cab, and the four-door Jeep Wrangler. These models may look a lot tougher than the Tesla and Volvo, but they aren’t as safe.
It’s little surprise that the Colorado and Canyon achieved the same scores for all tests in which both were evaluated, since these mid-size trucks share a platform. They scored Good for the small overlap front and side crash tests, Acceptable for the pedestrian front crash prevention, but Poor for the vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention. The Colorado was also evaluated for the moderate overlap front test (Marginal rating) and headlights (Acceptable or Poor, depending on the trim).
The latest Wrangler, which has a patchy crash-test history, is still some way off a perfect safety rating for 2025. On a positive note, it returned Good scores for the moderate overlap front and side crash tests. An incomplete rating for the small overlap front test, along with headlights that are either Marginal or Poor, prevented the Wrangler from achieving an award.
Based on IIHS testing from earlier this year, Hyundai Motor Group has been the best-performing automaker. IIHS crash tests are considered by some to be more comprehensive than those conducted by the NHTSA, which has come under fire recently for its dated regulations.