2024 Subaru Ascent: IIHS Safety Ratings & Review

by Jhon Lennon 49 views

Let's dive into the 2024 Subaru Ascent and its IIHS safety ratings, giving you a detailed review. For families prioritizing safety and reliability, understanding how a vehicle performs in safety tests is crucial. The Subaru Ascent, known for its spacious interior and family-friendly features, has consistently been a top contender in the mid-size SUV category. This article provides an in-depth look at the 2024 Ascent's safety performance, focusing on the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) ratings and what they mean for you and your loved ones.

Understanding IIHS Safety Ratings

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is an independent, non-profit organization that conducts rigorous safety tests on new vehicles. These tests are designed to evaluate how well vehicles protect occupants in a variety of crash scenarios. The IIHS ratings are highly regarded in the automotive industry and serve as a benchmark for consumers looking for safe vehicles. The IIHS uses several tests to assess vehicle safety, including:

  • Small Overlap Front Test: This test evaluates what happens when a small portion of the vehicle's front end collides with another vehicle or a stationary object. It is one of the more challenging tests because it concentrates the crash forces on a small area of the vehicle’s structure.
  • Moderate Overlap Front Test: This test simulates a more typical frontal collision, where the entire front of the vehicle impacts a barrier.
  • Side Impact Test: This test assesses the protection offered to occupants in a side collision. The IIHS recently updated this test to be more stringent, using a heavier barrier and higher impact speed.
  • Roof Strength Test: This test measures the vehicle’s ability to withstand being crushed in a rollover accident.
  • Head Restraints & Seats Test: This evaluates the effectiveness of the head restraints and seats in preventing whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions.

In addition to these crash tests, the IIHS also evaluates the effectiveness of a vehicle’s advanced safety features, such as automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning systems. These features can help prevent accidents in the first place, making them an important factor in overall safety ratings.

How the IIHS Ratings Work

The IIHS assigns ratings of Good, Acceptable, Marginal, or Poor based on the performance in each of the crash tests. To earn a Top Safety Pick award, a vehicle must achieve Good ratings in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side impact, roof strength, and head restraint tests. It also needs to have available front crash prevention systems that earn Advanced or Superior ratings. For the Top Safety Pick+ award, the requirements are even stricter, with higher standards for headlight performance and pedestrian crash prevention.

Understanding these ratings is essential for making an informed decision when purchasing a vehicle. A vehicle with Good ratings across the board provides the best possible protection in the event of a crash. Keep in mind that safety technology is always evolving, so checking the latest IIHS ratings for the specific model year you are considering is always a good idea.

2024 Subaru Ascent: Detailed IIHS Safety Performance

Now, let’s get into the specifics of the 2024 Subaru Ascent and its performance in the IIHS safety tests. The Subaru Ascent has consistently performed well in these evaluations, reflecting Subaru's commitment to safety. As we delve deeper, we'll explore how it handles various crash scenarios and the effectiveness of its safety features.

Crashworthiness Evaluations

The 2024 Subaru Ascent has undergone rigorous testing by the IIHS, and the results are impressive. Here’s a breakdown of its performance in each of the critical crashworthiness tests:

  • Small Overlap Front Test: The Ascent performs admirably in the small overlap front test. This test simulates a collision where a small portion of the vehicle's front end impacts another vehicle or a stationary object. The Ascent's structure held up well, and the dummy readings indicated a low risk of significant injuries to the driver and front passenger. This is crucial because these types of crashes can be particularly dangerous.
  • Moderate Overlap Front Test: In the moderate overlap front test, which simulates a more typical frontal collision, the Ascent also earned a Good rating. The vehicle’s structure absorbed the impact energy effectively, minimizing the risk of injuries to the occupants. The airbags and safety belts worked in coordination to protect the driver and front passenger, providing a safe environment during the crash.
  • Side Impact Test: The side impact test evaluates the protection offered to occupants in a side collision. The Ascent performed exceptionally well in this test, earning a Good rating. The vehicle's side structure and airbags effectively shielded the occupants from serious injuries. Given that side impacts can be particularly hazardous, this is a significant achievement for the Ascent.
  • Roof Strength Test: The roof strength test measures the vehicle’s ability to withstand being crushed in a rollover accident. The Ascent demonstrated robust roof strength, earning a Good rating. This indicates that the vehicle can protect occupants in the event of a rollover, reducing the risk of severe injuries.
  • Head Restraints & Seats Test: The head restraints and seats test evaluates the effectiveness of the head restraints and seats in preventing whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions. The Ascent earned a Good rating in this test, indicating that the head restraints are well-designed and can effectively protect against whiplash. Whiplash injuries are common in rear-end collisions, so this is an important safety feature to consider.

Overall, the 2024 Subaru Ascent demonstrated exceptional crashworthiness in the IIHS tests, earning Good ratings across the board. These results reflect Subaru's dedication to building safe and reliable vehicles.

Advanced Safety Features

Beyond crashworthiness, the 2024 Subaru Ascent is equipped with a suite of advanced safety features designed to prevent accidents and mitigate the severity of collisions. These features play a crucial role in enhancing overall safety and providing drivers with added confidence on the road. Here are some of the key advanced safety features available on the 2024 Ascent:

  • EyeSight Driver Assist Technology: Subaru’s EyeSight system is a suite of advanced safety features that includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist. These features work together to monitor the vehicle’s surroundings and assist the driver in avoiding collisions. Automatic emergency braking can detect potential collisions and automatically apply the brakes to reduce the severity of the impact or prevent it altogether. Adaptive cruise control maintains a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead, while lane departure warning and lane keeping assist help prevent unintentional lane departures. The EyeSight system has been proven to be highly effective in reducing accidents, making it a valuable safety feature.
  • Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert: These systems use sensors to monitor the vehicle’s blind spots and alert the driver to the presence of vehicles that may not be visible in the mirrors. Lane change assist can detect when a vehicle is rapidly approaching in an adjacent lane and warn the driver before making a lane change. Rear cross-traffic alert helps the driver when backing out of parking spaces by detecting vehicles approaching from the sides. These features enhance situational awareness and help prevent accidents in common driving scenarios.
  • Reverse Automatic Braking: This system can detect obstacles behind the vehicle when backing up and automatically apply the brakes to avoid a collision. This is particularly useful in preventing accidents when backing out of parking spaces or driveways, where visibility may be limited.
  • High Beam Assist: This feature automatically switches between high and low beams based on the presence of other vehicles, helping to maximize visibility without blinding other drivers. High beam assist can improve nighttime visibility and reduce the risk of accidents.

These advanced safety features complement the Ascent's robust crashworthiness, providing a comprehensive approach to safety. By combining these technologies with a strong vehicle structure, Subaru has created a vehicle that offers a high level of protection for occupants.

Real-World Safety: What the Ratings Mean for You

Understanding the IIHS ratings and advanced safety features is one thing, but it’s equally important to understand what these ratings mean in the real world. The 2024 Subaru Ascent's high safety ratings translate to a greater likelihood of avoiding accidents and reducing the severity of injuries in the event of a crash. Here’s how the Ascent’s safety performance can benefit you and your family:

  • Reduced Risk of Injuries: The Ascent's Good ratings in the IIHS crash tests indicate that the vehicle is well-designed to protect occupants in a variety of collision scenarios. Whether it’s a frontal impact, side collision, or rollover, the Ascent’s structure and safety systems work together to minimize the risk of serious injuries. This is particularly important for families with young children, as they are more vulnerable to injuries in a crash.
  • Accident Prevention: The Ascent’s advanced safety features, such as EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, are designed to prevent accidents before they happen. Automatic emergency braking can help avoid collisions with other vehicles or pedestrians, while lane departure warning and lane keeping assist can prevent unintentional lane departures. By actively monitoring the vehicle’s surroundings and assisting the driver, these features can significantly reduce the risk of accidents.
  • Peace of Mind: Knowing that your vehicle has earned high safety ratings and is equipped with advanced safety features can provide peace of mind. This can be particularly valuable for parents who are concerned about the safety of their children. The Ascent’s safety performance allows you to focus on enjoying the drive, knowing that you and your family are well-protected.
  • Lower Insurance Costs: Vehicles with high safety ratings often qualify for lower insurance rates. Insurance companies recognize that these vehicles are less likely to be involved in accidents and are more likely to protect occupants in the event of a crash. This can result in significant savings over the life of the vehicle.

In summary, the 2024 Subaru Ascent’s impressive safety performance translates to real-world benefits, including reduced risk of injuries, accident prevention, peace of mind, and lower insurance costs. These factors make the Ascent a compelling choice for families prioritizing safety.

Conclusion: Is the 2024 Subaru Ascent a Safe Choice?

After a thorough review of the 2024 Subaru Ascent and its IIHS safety ratings, the answer is a resounding yes. The Ascent has consistently demonstrated exceptional performance in crash tests and is equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced safety features. Its Good ratings in the IIHS crash tests, combined with the effectiveness of its safety technologies, make it one of the safest vehicles in its class.

For families looking for a reliable and safe mid-size SUV, the 2024 Subaru Ascent is an excellent choice. Its spacious interior, comfortable ride, and impressive safety performance make it a well-rounded vehicle that meets the needs of modern families. Whether you’re commuting to work, running errands, or embarking on a road trip, the Ascent provides a safe and secure environment for you and your loved ones.

By prioritizing safety, Subaru has created a vehicle that offers peace of mind and protection. The 2024 Subaru Ascent is a testament to the brand’s commitment to building vehicles that are not only fun to drive but also safe and reliable. If you’re in the market for a new SUV, be sure to consider the Ascent and its outstanding safety credentials. It’s a decision you won’t regret.