The US-spec 2022 Subaru Outback has earned the highest possible rating in the new, tougher Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) side-impact test.
For those who don’t know, IIHS has recently updated its assessment program as part of its ongoing efforts to improve vehicle safety. The non-profit organization has introduced a tougher side-impact test to address the higher-speed crashes that continue to cause fatalities.
The new test emulates the type of crash that occurs when two crossing vehicles collide in an intersection. The updated evaluation uses a heavier barrier traveling at a higher speed to simulate the striking vehicle.
Considering the weight of most modern midsize SUVs, the new barrier weighs 4,200 pounds, 900 pounds heavier than the previous version of IIHS’s side-impact test. The impact speed also increased from 31 to 37mph. Together, those changes mean the crash produces 82 percent more energy.
In addition, the new test features an updated barrier striking surface that performs more like today’s SUVs or pickups when striking the side of another vehicle.
As with the previous test, the new test uses two SID-IIs dummies in the driver seat and in the rear seat behind the driver. The SID-IIs represent a small woman or 12-year-old child.
To assess current model performance, the IIHS tested seven midsize cars, including the 2022 Subaru Outback. The Outback, said Subaru, is the only vehicle among those tested to earn the highest possible rating of “Good.”
Earning a “Good” rating requires a vehicle’s occupant compartment to hold its shape well during the crash. Additionally, measures collected from the dummies must not indicate a high risk of severe injuries. Furthermore, the side airbags and seat belts should prevent the dummies’ heads from making hard contact with the interior of the vehicle.
“We are elated that another one of our Subaru models excelled in this new tougher test. Our top priority with Outback, and all our models, is to provide customers with vehicles meeting the highest standards in safety,” said Subaru of America President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas J. Doll.
The Subaru Outback is also available here in the Philippines. It starts with a price tag of P2,380,000 and is offered in a single variant.
Photos from Subaru
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