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The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety retested several crossovers under its updated moderate overlap front crash test. The Nissan Kicks earned a Good rating after rear-seat belt changes, while the Audi Q3 and Chevrolet Trailblazer received Poor ratings and the Toyota RAV4 scored Acceptable or Marginal, depending on powertrain. Only the Kicks qualified for a 2026 Top Safety Pick among the models described.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has published updated crash-test ratings for several crossovers, with the Nissan Kicks the only one of the group to earn a Good score in the updated moderate overlap front test. The result helped the Kicks qualify for a 2026 Top Safety Pick, while the Audi Q3, Toyota RAV4 and Chevrolet Trailblazer did not qualify for an award based on the results reported.
The test simulates a vehicle striking a barrier at 40 mph, with only part of the vehicle’s front end making contact. IIHS revised the test in 2022 to place greater emphasis on rear-seat occupant protection. A Good score in this test is required for a Top Safety Pick award, according to The Drive’s report.
The Kicks initially received a Poor rating. IIHS awarded a Good score after a retest of vehicles with changes to their rear seat belts. The Drive reports that Nissan’s updated belts apply to vehicles built after June 2026, including 2026 and 2027 models. The Kicks received a 2026 Top Safety Pick, one level below Top Safety Pick+.
The redesigned 2026 Audi Q3 received Poor in the test, although it earned Good ratings in the other categories cited in the report. The redesigned RAV4 scored Acceptable as a hybrid and Marginal as a plug-in hybrid. The Trailblazer also received Poor in the moderate overlap test and had lower ratings in other areas, including headlights and front-crash prevention technology.
Rear-Seat Protection Shapes Awards
The results show how a single test category can affect an award and spotlight differences in rear-seat crash protection. The Kicks’ change in rating followed a specific design update, while the Q3, RAV4 and Trailblazer fell short of the Good threshold in the test. For shoppers comparing crossovers, the findings offer a model-specific measure that is not captured by a vehicle’s overall reputation or by ratings in other crash tests.
The ratings also illustrate that safety performance can vary between versions of the same vehicle. The RAV4 hybrid and plug-in hybrid received different scores in this test, so buyers should check the rating for the powertrain they are considering rather than assume it applies equally across the range.
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IIHS Revised the Test in 2022
IIHS is an insurance-industry-backed nonprofit that conducts vehicle safety evaluations. Its updated moderate overlap front test was introduced in 2022 to better account for what happens to people seated in the back during a frontal crash. The Drive notes that IIHS can revise its testing procedures without waiting for an act of Congress, unlike federal safety standards set through the government process.
The test has posed a challenge for manufacturers. In this round, the Kicks improved from Poor to Good after changes to its rear seat belts, while the other crossovers reported did not reach Good. That makes the results both a snapshot of current ratings and an example of how automakers may respond to weaknesses identified through testing.
“The Kicks initially received the lowest “Poor” rating.”
— The Drive, reporting on the IIHS test
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Award Details and Test Scope
The source material does not provide the full IIHS test data, videos, or detailed measurements for each vehicle, so the specific injury readings and performance differences behind each rating cannot be assessed here. It also does not specify the full range of production dates or markets covered by Nissan’s belt changes beyond saying they apply to vehicles built after June 2026.
The report identifies the Kicks as receiving a 2026 Top Safety Pick and says the other listed crossovers received no award. It does not provide a complete breakdown of every award category or all ratings for each model. Ratings can also depend on model year, trim, equipment and production date; buyers should consult IIHS’s current entry for the exact vehicle they are considering.
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Automakers Can Address Shortfalls
IIHS may publish further ratings as it tests additional vehicles or evaluates changes to current models. The next development to watch is whether Audi, Toyota and Chevrolet revise the Q3, RAV4 or Trailblazer in response to the results, and whether later testing changes their ratings. No such changes or retests for those models are confirmed in the source material.
Shoppers can check IIHS’s latest ratings before purchasing and compare the specific model year and powertrain. For the Kicks, the reported Good result applies to vehicles with the revised rear seat belts; buyers should confirm the production details of a particular vehicle with the seller or Nissan.
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Key Questions
Which crossover earned a Good rating?
The Nissan Kicks earned Good in the updated IIHS moderate overlap front test after changes to its rear seat belts.
How did the Toyota RAV4 perform?
The standard hybrid RAV4 received an Acceptable rating in the test. The plug-in hybrid received Marginal, according to The Drive’s report.
Why did the Audi Q3 miss a Top Safety Pick?
The Q3 received Poor in the moderate overlap front test. The Drive reports that a Good rating in this test is required for a Top Safety Pick, despite the Q3 earning Good ratings in its other reported categories.
What does the IIHS test measure?
It simulates a vehicle hitting a barrier at 40 mph with only part of its front end making contact. IIHS revised the test in 2022 to better evaluate rear-seat occupant safety.
Do all Nissan Kicks have the updated rating?
The report says the improved rating followed rear seat belt changes on vehicles built after June 2026. Buyers should check the production details and current IIHS listing for the particular Kicks they are considering.
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