2016 Toyota RAV4 scores mid-pack in new headlight testing by IIHS

This week, IIHS released the finding of headlight testing for the largest family vehicle segment in America, the compact crossover class. The top-selling 2016 Toyota RAV4 finished mid-pack with a rating of “Marginal.” Not a single vehicle in the 21 vehicles tested scored Good.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) performs the most rigorous and respected safety testing in the U.S. automotive market. Its Top Safety Pick Plus rating is eagerly sought by automakers who use the top rating in advertisements. Shoppers look to the IIHS ratings for help when choosing a new vehicle in order to find a safe vehicle.

- Related Story: Toyota’s 2016 RAV4 Is Not As Safe As You Thought

IIHS tests all the headlight versions available for each model it rates. The Institute warns shoppers to be sure they are getting the best system since base models and mid-trim versions of a model may have a lower-performing system.

The 2016 Toyotas RAV4’s headlight test results put it ahead of rivals like the Subaru Forester and Nissan Rogue, which scored “Poor.” The RAV4 also outscored the pricey Audi Q3. However, the top scores of Acceptable went to the RAV4’s longest running peer in this group, the CR-V, and also to the Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai Tucson. The 2017 Ford Escape also scored “Acceptable.”

It should be noted that IIHS is very sensitive to excessive glare. 17 of the models tested failed to earn an acceptable rating only because their headlights caused more glare than IIHS prefers.