Crash-test rules keep getting tougher, and several well-known models have struggled to keep pace with them. The updated moderate-overlap front evaluation puts extra attention on how people in the back seat fare in a frontal impact. Here are twelve popular vehicles that landed below the top Good rating.
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1. Nissan Rogue: Rear Seat Belt Trouble
The 2021-23 Nissan Rogue earned a Marginal overall rating in the updated moderate-overlap front test, according to an IIHS test findings on rear-passenger protection. The dummy in the back showed an elevated risk of head and neck injury.
The lap belt also slipped onto the abdomen instead of staying across the pelvis. For families that carry passengers in the back seat, that belt behavior is the detail worth noticing, because it points to how a rear occupant could be loaded in a real frontal collision.
2. Honda HR-V: Poor Rear Occupant Marks
Honda’s HR-V from 2021-22 was rated Poor in the tougher front test, and the IIHS rear-seat findings describe high risks of head, neck and chest injury. Testers also recorded submarining, where the lap belt rides up and the occupant slides beneath it.
That combination places the small crossover among the weakest results in the group. Buyers shopping used examples of this model-year range should treat the rear-seat outcome as a real caveat, even though the front-seat results are only part of the full crash picture.
3. Mazda CX-5: Belt Geometry Concerns
The 2021-22 Mazda CX-5 was rated Poor, and the IIHS crash test results cite two separate problems. The rear dummy submarined under the lap belt, and the shoulder belt sat very high across the body.
Both issues relate to how a belt fits a seated passenger rather than to the strength of the structure alone. For owners who regularly seat adults or teens in the back, the rating is a reminder that popular compact SUVs can still trail on rear-seat restraint design.
4. Jeep Renegade: Head Contact at Rebound
Among the vehicles in the 2022 round, the 2021-23 Jeep Renegade also finished Poor. According to the IIHS test report, the dummy’s head hit the C-pillar during rebound, meaning contact occurred after the initial forward motion as the body swung back.
That kind of head strike is a distinct failure from belt slippage, and it suggests the rear seating area of this small Jeep offers limited margin for a tall passenger. Shoppers considering one of these model years can weigh that finding against its low price and boxy practicality.
5. Honda CR-V: A Poor Rating Persists
The 2027 Honda CR-V is listed as Poor for moderate overlap front in the IIHS small SUV table for small SUVs. The earlier 2021-22 version of the model was also Poor in the 2022 test, so the rating has not changed across those years.
For a nameplate that sits among the best-selling compact crossovers, the repeated result stands out. Shoppers comparing small SUVs may want to check the latest IIHS table directly, since a popular model does not automatically carry the strongest crash scores in every category.
6. Jeep Compass: Poor on the Class Table
The 2027 Jeep Compass is rated Poor on the moderate overlap front test in the IIHS class summary for small SUVs. That places it at the bottom of the rating scale for this particular evaluation.
The Compass shares the Poor label with its smaller Renegade sibling from the earlier 2022 findings, which hints at a pattern in the brand’s compact lineup. Anyone cross-shopping small crossovers can use the table to see how it compares with rivals that scored higher.
7. Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: Poor in 2026 Testing
The 2026 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross received a Poor rating on the moderate overlap front test, as the IIHS ratings table for small SUVs shows. The result is the lowest tier available in the test.
A Poor mark on a current-year model matters because buyers often assume newer vehicles will have closed the gap. Shoppers who like the small crossover can still consider it, but the rating suggests weighing it against competitors that earned better scores in the same class.
8. Audi Q3: A Downgrade From Marginal
Audi’s 2027 Q3 is rated Poor on moderate overlap front in the IIHS class summary for small SUVs. In the 2022 test, the same model had managed a Marginal rating, so the newer result is a step lower.
A premium badge does not guarantee strong results in the updated evaluation, and this entry shows that clearly. Buyers drawn to the compact luxury segment can use the comparison to see how a higher price fails to translate into a better moderate overlap outcome here.
9. Toyota Corolla: Marginal Result for a Bestseller
The 2027 Toyota Corolla sedan is rated Marginal on moderate overlap front, according to the IIHS small car table for small cars. That sits one step above Poor but still falls short of Good.
The Corolla is often a default choice for practical buyers, so the middling rating is worth knowing before purchase. Shoppers should treat it as one data point alongside other crash and safety-feature results, but it confirms that even a dependable nameplate can fall below the top rating.
10. Honda Civic: Acceptable but Not Good
The 2027 Honda Civic sedan earned an Acceptable rating on moderate overlap front, as the IIHS small car ratings for small cars lists. That is the second-best tier, which still counts as below Good in this updated evaluation.
Among the vehicles in this gallery, the Civic fares best, and it shows how narrow the margin can be between a leading result and a lesser one. Buyers who want the highest possible score may still look elsewhere, though the sedan avoids the weakest tiers.
11. Toyota Highlander: Marginal Family Hauler
The 2026 Toyota Highlander is rated Marginal on moderate overlap front in the IIHS midsize SUV table for midsize SUVs. It lands in the second-lowest category, ahead of Poor but well short of Good.
Midsize SUVs are typically bought to carry the whole family, which makes a modest result more relevant. Shoppers weighing the Highlander against rivals can use the table to see whether competitors offer a stronger moderate overlap outcome before committing.
12. Toyota 4Runner: Marginal Off-Road Icon
The 2026 Toyota 4Runner also receives a Marginal rating on moderate overlap front, per the IIHS ratings summary for midsize SUVs. The rating matches that of the Highlander from the same brand.
Buyers often choose the 4Runner for rugged capability, and the result is a reminder that off-road credentials do not predict crash performance. Anyone planning to carry passengers on daily drives should weigh the rating alongside the rugged appeal that draws many owners.
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