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In a recent round of IIHS testing, the Nissan Kicks was the only one of four crossover models to earn a Good rating in the updated moderate overlap front crash test. Changes to rear seat belts on vehicles built after June 2026 improved the Kicks’ result; the Audi Q3, Chevrolet Trailblazer and Toyota RAV4 did not earn a Good rating in that test.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Nissan Kicks a Good rating in its updated moderate overlap front crash test after changes to the rear seat belts, while the tested Audi Q3, Chevrolet Trailblazer and Toyota RAV4 did not earn that top rating. The result helped the Kicks qualify for a 2026 Top Safety Pick, while the other models failed to meet the test requirement for the award.
The IIHS tested the Audi Q3, Chevrolet Trailblazer and Toyota RAV4, including the RAV4 hybrid and plug-in hybrid, alongside the Kicks. The institute’s updated moderate overlap test evaluates how a vehicle protects occupants when a vehicle strikes a barrier at 40 mph, with only part of its front end making contact. IIHS revised the test in 2022 to put greater emphasis on rear-seat occupant protection.
The Kicks had initially received a Poor rating in the test. According to the report, Nissan changed the rear seat belts on vehicles built after June 2026, including 2026 and 2027 models. In the retest, the updated Kicks earned a Good rating. It received a 2026 Top Safety Pick, one award tier below Top Safety Pick+.
The redesigned 2026 Audi Q3 received a Poor rating in the test, a result that also applies to 2027 models. The redesigned 2026 Toyota RAV4 earned an Acceptable rating in its standard hybrid form and a Marginal rating as a plug-in hybrid. The Trailblazer received a Poor rating. The report also says the Trailblazer had low scores in other areas, including headlights and front-crash prevention technology.
Rear-Seat Protection Shapes Awards
The results show how a single test category can determine whether a vehicle qualifies for an IIHS award. A Good rating in the moderate overlap front test is required for Top Safety Pick recognition, according to the report. The Q3 and RAV4 had Good ratings in other categories but missed the award because they did not meet this requirement.
For shoppers comparing crossovers, the ratings offer a specific signal about rear-occupant protection in this test, rather than a complete measure of safety in every crash. The Kicks’ improved score also illustrates that test results can lead to vehicle changes; buyers should check which production dates and model years the rating covers.
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Why IIHS Changed the Test
The IIHS is an insurance-industry-backed nonprofit that conducts vehicle safety tests and issues ratings. Its evaluations are separate from those of the federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The report describes IIHS as able to update its tests without the legislative process required to change federal standards.
In 2022, IIHS revised the moderate overlap front test to better account for people seated in the rear. The change raised the bar for vehicles that had been designed and assessed under earlier test conditions. The Kicks first failed the updated test for the 2025 model-year generation, then earned a Good rating after the reported belt changes and retest.
“The Kicks earned a 2026 Top Safety Pick award”
— The Drive report
Model Coverage and Ratings Scope
The available report does not provide detailed crash measurements, individual injury readings or a full breakdown of every rating category for each vehicle. It also does not specify the exact production dates of the tested Q3, Trailblazer or RAV4 vehicles beyond their model-year descriptions. The Kicks result is tied to vehicles built after June 2026; buyers should confirm that a specific vehicle falls within the rating’s coverage.
The ratings describe performance in IIHS tests, not the likelihood of injury in every real-world crash. No information in the source establishes whether Audi, Chevrolet or Toyota plans changes or retests in response to these results.
Watch for Changes and Retests
The next point to watch is whether Audi, Chevrolet or Toyota modifies the affected vehicles and submits updated versions for testing. The source does not report any announced changes or retest schedules for those models. For Nissan, the reported improvement applies to Kicks vehicles built after June 2026, so buyers comparing model years should check the IIHS rating and vehicle build details before relying on the result.
Key Questions
Which crossover earned a Good rating in the updated test?
The Nissan Kicks earned a Good rating after changes to rear seat belts on vehicles built after June 2026.
How did the other crossovers score?
The Audi Q3 and Chevrolet Trailblazer received Poor ratings. The Toyota RAV4 hybrid received an Acceptable rating, while the plug-in hybrid received a Marginal rating.
What does the moderate overlap front test measure?
In the test, a vehicle strikes a barrier at 40 mph with only part of its front end making contact. IIHS updated the test in 2022 to better assess rear-seat occupant protection.
Why did the Kicks receive a Top Safety Pick?
Its Good rating in the moderate overlap front test helped it qualify for a 2026 Top Safety Pick. The report says a Good rating in that test is required for the award.
Does the Kicks rating apply to every model year?
The report says the improved result applies to Kicks vehicles built after June 2026, including 2026 and 2027 models. Buyers should check the build date and current IIHS listing for the specific vehicle.
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