Is Honda’s safety rating on small SUVs better than Subaru’s?
Both Subaru and Honda received superior safety ratings from the IIHS in recent studies. Safety features could help you lower your auto insurance costs by up to 8%.
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Justin Wright
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Justin Wright has been a licensed insurance broker for over 9 years. After graduating from Southeastern Seminary with a Masters in Philosophy, Justin started his career as a professor, teaching Philosophy and Ethics. Later, Justin obtained both his Property & Casualty license and his Life and Health license and began working for State Farm and Allstate. In 2020, Justin began working as an i...
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UPDATED: Jul 10, 2024
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Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Jul 10, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Honda and Subaru both received a Top Safety Pick+ award for their small size SUVs
- Optional equipment and varying trims helped both the Forester and the CR-V receive their scores
- Safer cars can help drivers save money when they are shopping around for insurance
Since the IIHS sets the standards for what tests will help drivers determine the safest vehicles possible, they make sure they are using the most accurate tests possible. They use tests that are made to mimic situations where people would be in a collision in real life.
The IIHS has always maintained the fact they are the best standard by which people can use their vehicles. They want to make sure people understand they are doing their best to show others what they can do to help them determine which car is the safest.
The IIHS tests help drivers to find out specifics such as the best crash rating small SUV and the highest safety rated small SUV as well as general car safety ratings.
IIHS looks at things like:
- How a vehicle performs during different types of collisions.
- Whether a vehicle is able to stop or avoid a crash with equipment.
- How well headlights work.
- The efficacy of the child safety system and how well the LATCH system can be identified.
The ratings for everything but crash avoidance are based on highest to lowest: Good (G), Acceptable (A), Marginal (M), and Poor (P). The crash avoidance starts with a superior score.
It can also have an advanced score which is slightly worse and a basic score which means the vehicle was not able to avoid a collision.
So, are Hondas safe cars? Are Subarus safe cars? Is Honda or Subaru more reliable? Which is better, Subaru or Honda? Let’s take a closer look at the Honda vs Subaru safety ratings.
The Honda CR-V and the Subaru Forester
When comparing Honda vs Subaru vehicles and asking questions like, are Hondas safe, you may decide to look at specific models like the Forester vs the CR-V. Looking at factors such as the Honda CR-V crash test rating as well as the Subaru Forester safety rating is important. The Subaru Forester and the Honda CR-V were both tested by the IIHS and came out among the top safest small SUVs.
They received scores that were similar because of their success during the crash tests, but they did have some differences that made on a clear winner.
Because of this result, it is easy for drivers to choose which vehicle they would want based on safety alone.
LATCH System
The Subaru Forester and the Honda CR-V received the same score for the LATCH system ease of use, but it was for different reasons. Since the LATCH system is mandated by the government, it cannot be tested for safety reasons. The ease of use for it can be tested, though.
The LATCH system in the Forester received an A because it had two anchors in the seats that were too difficult to reach. The test found they were too far in the seat to make it easy to reach them. The third seat without an anchor was not tested.
The CR-V also received an A for its LATCH system, but it was for a different reason. The CR-V had anchors that were easier to reach, but they were too close to other equipment.
If someone were to mistake the other equipment for the LATCH system, it would put the child at risk of coming detached from the safety system in the vehicle. Keep these differences in mind when you compare the Subaru safety rating with the Honda safety rating.
Crash Avoidance and Mitigation
Since most vehicles are now equipped with auto brake features, the IIHS tests these to make sure they are up to their standards.
Many vehicles, including the CR-V and the Forester, only have these as optional features, but they help to make it easier for the vehicle to stop if the driver is not paying attention or is unable to push the brake in the event of an accident.
During the Honda CR-V crash test, the CR-V stopped with optional equipment and completely avoided an accident in both of the tests it was subjected to, as did the Forester.
Their headlights received an A score because they had only fair visibility during a gradual left turn. The vehicles both have a system which automatically switches to high beams if the vehicle is performing poorly with low beams.
The equipment is available as an option on the CR-V and the Forester. Remember that a safety comparison of SUVs should include optional features, too.
Crashworthiness
Many consider the crashworthiness tests to be among the most important. Even if they are not the most important, they are the most involved tests and are made up of six different parts. So both the Honda CR-V had a crash test to pass
The Honda CR-V and the Subaru Forester had tests performed that would determine how safe they were in different types of collisions.
The small overlap front tests were the only ones where there was a difference between the two vehicles. Both of them received a G score during the driver’s side. The Forester received an M for the passenger side while there was no data for the CR-V on the passenger side.
The vehicles scored a G on the rest of the tests including the moderate overlap front, the sides, the roof strength and the safety of the seats with the restraints and headrests. For this portion, the results of the Subaru vs Honda debate were similar.
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Top Safety Pick+
Ultimately, are Subarus safer than Hondas? Which is more reliable, Honda CR-V or Subaru Forester? The Subaru Forester and the CR-V both received the Top Safety Pick+ award from IIHS which is the highest award a vehicle can receive. The vehicles performed significantly better than most of the other small-size SUVs that were tested by the IIHS.
So, what is the number one safest SUV to drive?
The Subaru Forester received the ranking of the number one safest small SUV. The CR-V received the ranking of the third.
The rating was due mostly to the fact there was no data on the CR-V for the small overlap in the front on the passenger side of the CR-V. Does the Honda CR-V have a good safety rating? Yes, even though it was not first for safety ratings, it is still a good choice.
While there is no way to guarantee a safer vehicle will protect you completely during an accident, it is much safer to drive a vehicle that has received a Top Safety Pick+ award. Keep that in mind when you’re looking for the safest compact SUV or the safest affordable SUV.
The award shows the benefits of the safety of the vehicles in different situations and is accurate because of the tests the IIHS uses. Drivers may also save more money on insurance for vehicles that have received this award.
Ultimately, the choice between a Honda or Subaru is yours. And at the end of the day, factors other than safety will probably also play into picking a Subaru or Honda. You might wonder, is insurance high on Subaru? Compare car insurance quotes with our free rate comparison tool today! Just enter your zip code below to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the safety rating of Honda’s small SUVs?
You may be curious about the ratings for safety on a Honda small SUV. Is a Honda CR-V a safe car? Honda has consistently received high safety ratings for its small SUVs. Models such as the Honda CR-V and Honda HR-V have performed well in crash tests conducted by organizations like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
How does Subaru’s small SUV safety rating compare to Honda’s?
You might wonder, are Subarus safer than Honda? Subaru safety ratings are fairly good. Subaru is also known for producing safe vehicles, and the Subaru safety record is solid. Its small SUVs have generally received favorable safety ratings, too. Models like the Subaru Forester and Subaru Crosstrek have performed well in crash tests and have earned recognition for their safety features.
Is Honda’s safety rating on small SUVs better than Subaru’s?
When it comes to the SUV safety rating, which is better — Honda or Subaru? It’s important to note that safety ratings can vary between specific models and model years. Both Honda and Subaru prioritize safety in their vehicles and have a strong reputation for producing safe SUVs.
It would be best to consult the latest safety ratings and crash test results from reputable sources like the NHTSA and the IIHS to compare the safety performance of specific Honda and Subaru small SUV models. These test results can help you determine which is more reliable, Honda CR-V or Subaru forester.
Are there any notable safety features offered by Honda and Subaru in their small SUVs?
Are Subarus good in a crash? What are the best safety SUV features? Both Honda and Subaru prioritize safety and offer a range of advanced safety features in their small SUVs. Some common safety features found in their vehicles include advanced airbag systems, anti-lock braking systems (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), traction control, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring.
It is advisable to review the specific trim levels and options available for each model to determine the availability of these safety features.
Do Honda and Subaru small SUVs undergo independent safety testing?
When looking at an Honda vs Subaru SUV, you might ask if they are testing by safety test organizations. Yes, Honda and Subaru small SUVs are subjected to independent safety testing by organizations such as the NHTSA and the IIHS. These organizations evaluate the vehicles’ crashworthiness, occupant protection, crash avoidance technologies, and other safety-related aspects.
The results of these tests are widely available and can help inform your decision when comparing the safety ratings of Honda and Subaru small SUVs like the Subaru Forester safety ratings.
Which is more reliable, the Honda CR-V or Subaru Forester?
Reliability is a common factor that drivers look at when searching for a new vehicle. What’s more reliable than a Honda? What is the most reliable Subaru model? If you are comparing the aspects of Subaru vs Honda reliability, be sure to check the track record for each company as well as individual makes and models. Additionally, the maintenance cost and personal preference can affect the Honda vs Subaru reliability debate.
Are Subarus better than Hondas?
Some drivers might ask, which one is better, Subaru or Honda? If you’re comparing specific vehicles such as the Subaru Forester vs the Honda CR-V, there are several different factors at play that will determine which car is better. The Subaru vs Honda safety ratings are very similar, so personal preference will greatly impact the answer of which is the better vehicle.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Justin Wright
Licensed Insurance Agent
Justin Wright has been a licensed insurance broker for over 9 years. After graduating from Southeastern Seminary with a Masters in Philosophy, Justin started his career as a professor, teaching Philosophy and Ethics. Later, Justin obtained both his Property & Casualty license and his Life and Health license and began working for State Farm and Allstate. In 2020, Justin began working as an i...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.