USAThe Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) published new ratings on 22 October 2026 for six vehicles, and only one earned an award: the 2026-27 Nissan Kicks, in versions built after June 2026. The other small SUVs missed on the moderate overlap front test, which emphasizes protection for second-row passengers.
Ratings for the six vehicles
| Vehicle | Small overlap front | Moderate overlap front | Side | Headlights | Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 Nissan Kicks (built after June 2026) | Good | Good | Good | Good | Top Safety Pick |
| 2026 Toyota RAV4 | Good | Acceptable | Good | Good | None |
| 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid | Good | Marginal | Good | Good | None |
| 2026-27 Audi Q3 | Good | Poor | Good | Good | None |
| 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer | Good | Poor | Good | Acceptable | None |
| 2027 Volkswagen Jetta (midsize car) | Good | Good | Acceptable | Marginal | None |
An award this year needs Good ratings in the moderate overlap front, small overlap front and side tests, plus Acceptable or Good headlights on every trim level. A qualifying front crash prevention system must be standard, and for the Top Safety Pick the pedestrian front crash prevention test must be Acceptable or Good.
Nissan Kicks
The Kicks was redesigned for the 2025 model year and first earned a Poor in the moderate overlap front test. Nissan changed the rear seat belts in June 2026. Cars built after that month earn Good in the test, and only those qualify for the Top Safety Pick, according to the IIHS.
The Kicks stops short of the higher Top Safety Pick+ because its vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention rating is Marginal. The Nissan Kicks page covers how the US car differs from the Japanese e-Power model.
Toyota RAV4
The RAV4 hybrid is Good in the small overlap and side tests and has Good headlights, but its moderate overlap result is Acceptable, one step short of the award requirement. The plug-in hybrid has the same Good ratings elsewhere and a Marginal in the moderate overlap test. Neither qualifies for an award. The IIHS rates the two powertrains separately, and the Toyota RAV4 page covers both.
Audi Q3, Chevrolet Trailblazer and VW Jetta
The Audi Q3 is Good everywhere except the moderate overlap front test, where it rates Poor. The Chevrolet Trailblazer also rates Poor in the moderate overlap test, and adds Acceptable headlights and Poor ratings for both vehicle-to-vehicle and pedestrian front crash prevention.
The 2027 Volkswagen Jetta is the one midsize car in the release. It is Good in the moderate overlap test but Acceptable in the side test and Marginal for headlights.
