Subaru’s Sudden Drop In Safety Performance

I reported last month that only one Subaru model now qualifies for this year's Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ winner. Only three models make the cut and earn Top Safety Pick awards. Here is new information concerning Subaru's sudden drop in safety performance.

First, here are Subaru's top-performing safety models

Subaru's Top Safety Pick+ winner

• 2024 Subaru Ascent

Subaru's Top Safety Pick winners

• 2024 Subaru Outback
• 2024 Subaru Impreza
• 2024 Subaru Solterra

Related Story: Subaru Has Only One IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Winner, Forester, Crosstrek Drop Off The List

Is Subaru safety in decline?

The Subaru Ascent is the only Top Safety Pick+ winner this year, and Subaru now has only three Top Safety Pick winners. That's a significant drop from last year's nine vehicles with the highest Top Safety Pick+ awards.

What does it mean for the 2024 Subaru Forester compact SUV, Crosstrek subcompact SUV, Legacy midsize sedan, WRX performance car, and BRZ sport coupe? None of the five models earned the IIHS awards. 

New Stricter Requirements

Subaru's new safety scores look dismal thanks to the IIHS's new stricter requirements for better protection for back seat passengers and improved pedestrian crash avoidance systems. 

Many Subaru Models Lag Behind

The new stricter requirements that the IIHS instituted this year for side impact protection, pedestrian crash prevention systems, and moderate front overlap tests will push Subaru to improve its safety systems even more. 

Related Content: Subaru Takes A Punch In The Gut From The New IIHS Criteria

What The IIHS Says

Last year's most significant change was replacing the original side crash test with an updated version that uses a heavier barrier traveling at a higher speed. Initially, an acceptable or good rating was enough to garner the lower-tier Top Safety Pick award. In 2024, a good rating is required for either the Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award.

The IIHS says, "In addition, vehicles need an acceptable or good rating in a revised version of the pedestrian front crash prevention evaluation to qualify for either award. The new version replaces the earlier daytime and nighttime tests with a single evaluation that includes some test runs in daylight and some in the dark. Last year, vehicles could earn the lower-tier award regardless of whether they could detect and avoid pedestrians in the dark."

"In an even bigger change, the updated moderate front overlap test has replaced the original evaluation in the 2024 Top Safety Pick+ requirements. Vehicles now need an acceptable or good rating in the updated evaluation, which adds a second dummy seated behind the driver and emphasizes back seat safety. A good rating in the original moderate overlap test is still needed for the base Top Safety Pick award."

Why Is The Subaru Ascent The Only Top Safety Pick+ winner?

The Ascent is Subaru's largest vehicle and gets the top "Good" scores in all areas except for the moderate overlap front updated test, which scored an "Acceptable" grade. 

All other Subaru models have a "Marginal" or "Poor" scores in the newly updated moderate overlap front test. These are the areas where the other models will have to improve. 

Ascent Active Safety Technology

The 2024 Ascent has advanced active safety features like standard EyeSight Driver Assist Technology and the available DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System. Plus, there's the passive protection of the Subaru Global Platform — made with high-strength steel for enhanced crash safety — seven airbags and a standard ring-shaped reinforcement frame.

Subaru Has To Improve

Subaru of America President and Chief Operating Officer Jeff Walters said, "Subaru's commitment to safety is renewed daily in the cars and SUVs we deliver to our customers. With tougher criteria again for 2024, we're proud to be recognized by the IIHS this year with Top Safety Pick awards."

Subaru will have to update its safety technology to comply with the new criteria set forth by the IIHS. Will the 2025 and 2026 model year Subaru Outback, Forester, Crosstrek, and other Subaru vehicles meet the more challenging requirements? Stay tuned. 

I am Denis Flierl, a top Torque News contributing reporter since 2012. I’ve invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand, and I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my latest Subaru stories on the Subaru page. Follow me on my The Dirty Subaru website, Dirty Subaru blog, X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Subaru