Consumers looking for the safest new small car SUVs can check the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) results before deciding on their new car. Check out the 2022 Volkswagen Taos versus the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek.

In recent IIHS testing, the 2022 Volkswagen Taos fell behind in two crash tests. The subcompact SUV Taos can only achieve acceptable values ​​with small overlaps and passenger-side headrest ratings.

Photo credit: Competition Subaru

The IIHS requires a vehicle to receive a “Good” rating in these and four other crash tests in order for a vehicle to be eligible for the Top Safety Pick 2022 award. In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek subcompact SUV earns the Top Safety Pick award for 2022.

Why does the VW Toas fail and the Subaru Crosstrek excels?

The IIHS says: “In the small passenger-side overlap test, the SUV’s passenger compartment allowed undue intrusion into the passenger’s survival space, resulting in a marginal score that lowered the overall rating. When evaluating the headrest, the dummy’s head and neck were not sufficiently supported early on in the simulated rear-end collision.”

In the vehicle-to-pedestrian test, the Taos only achieves a basic rating. Intermediate or Superior ratings are required on the test to earn the IIHS Top Safety Pick award.

How safe is the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek?

The 2022 Subaru Crosstrek was recently evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and received the Top Safety Pick award. Crosstrek has now been a TSP winner for 11 consecutive years. The Crosstrek Hybrid receives the highest award “Top Safety Pick+” for its LED projector headlights.

The 2022 model year Subaru Crosstrek Base, Premium, and Sport trim levels achieve the best crash prevention scores on the IIHS, but receive a poor rating for their halogen reflector headlights. Hence the lower but still outstanding Top Safety Pick award.

Unlike the VW Taos, the Crosstrek gets the highest “Good” scores in the passenger-side small overlap test, headrest rating, and vehicle-to-pedestrian test.

Where does the Crosstrek need to improve to earn the Top Safety Pick+ top honor?

Subaru needs to improve the Crosstrek’s headlights. The Top Safety Pick+ is only awarded to models that meet all requirements and must have “good” or “acceptable” headlights in all trim levels and packages. Because not all trims have the best LED headlights, the Crosstrek gets a poor review for its lower-rated halogen reflector headlights.

Contact Subaru Corporation to improve the next generation 2023 Subaru Crosstrek headlights and offer the best LED projector lamps for all trim levels and packages. The 2022 Subaru Crosstrek remains a Top Safety Pick winner.

Consumers looking for the safest new small car SUVs can check the IIHS results before deciding on their new car. The Volkswagen Taos falls short in three critical areas, while the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek excels, earning a Top Safety Pick rating.

You might like it too: Consumer Reports – 2022 Subaru Crosstrek is the best SUV under $30,000 with one small flaw

Denis Flierl has been investing in the automotive industry for over 30 years in an advisory role and has worked with all major car brands. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where it covers all models from the Japanese automaker. For more stories, visit the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Dennis on Facebook, Twitterand Instagram.

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Photo credits: IIHS and Subaru