Andrew Beckford | MotorTrend
When we’re examining a automobile we take its driving characteristics, functions, tech, and cost into factortoconsider, however one of the most crucial locations we appearance at is security.
It doesn’t matter how great a automobile looks or how instinctive its infotainment system is, if it’s doingnothave in security functions then it endsupbeing tough to suggest. And we have companies like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety—or IIHS to findout how automobiles from different classes carryout in diligently developed crash tests.
For 2023, IIHS put a crop of midsize sedans (and one car-based SUV) through an upgraded—and harder—version of its moderate overlap front crash test with a focused assessment on back seat security. This upgraded variation of the test includes a dummy in the back seat behind the chauffeur. The dummy in the back seat is “the size of a little female or 12-year-old kid” while the dummy in the chauffeur’s seat is the size of an “average grownup guy.”
IIHS upgraded the test after researchstudy revealed that the danger of a deadly injury in morerecent lorries is greater for belted residents in the back seats than in the front. The company worries that this isn’t since back seats have endupbeing less safe, however duetothefactthat front seats have endupbeing more safe due to enhanced airbags and seatbelts that normally aren’t readilyavailable in the back. Even with that being the case, IIHS states that the back seat is still the best for young kids as they can be hurt by quickly pumpingup airbags.
So, how did the 6 cars do in this brand-new test? Generally speaking, not fantastic. That stated, some lorries did muchbetter than others and one in specific stoodout. Let’s take a appearance at the results, as well as where each one ranks on the MotorTrend Ultimate Car Rankings. As a suggestion, IIHS rates cars ‘good,’ ‘acceptable,’ ‘marginal,’ or ‘poor’ on its specific tests.
2023 Volkswagen Jetta: “Poor” IIHS Rating
Keeping in mind that this particular IIHS test was for little rear seat travelers, the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta didn’t fare really well. IIHS discovered that the back traveler’s head came too close to the front seatback. Additional measurements tape-recorded from the back seated dummy revealed “injuries to the head or neck and chest and extreme belt forces.” In other IIHS examinations, the similar 2022 Jetta made “good” ratings in crashworthiness classifications however didn’t get high marks for its headlights, seatbelt suggestions, or kid seat tether anchors.
2023 Volkswagen Jetta: Pros and Cons
The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta ranks last in MotorTrend‘s compact sedan classification. We are pleased, nevertheless, by the wealth of requirement functions, such as the 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, 8.0-inch digital gauge cluster, and automated LED headlights. On the other hand, we stay notimpressed with the Jetta’s low-cost plastic interior and total absence of character. It likewise doesn’t drive as well as the more economical Honda Civic.
2023 Kia K5: “Poor” IIHS Rating
One of the significant security threats for back guests is something called “submarining.” This is when a rear-seat traveler slides beneath the lap belt triggering it to relocation up to the abdominalarea and increasing the possibility of internal injuries. This is one of the primary factors why the 2023 Kia K5 sedan made a “poor” ranking in the moderate overlap front crash test. In the K5, the back shoulder belt likewise moved off the shoulder to the neck of the dummy, which is unfavorable for apparent factors.
The 2023 Kia K5 is a 2022 Top Safety Pick.
2023 Kia K5: Pros and Cons
Coming in listedbelow the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata in our midsize sedan rankings, the 2023 Kia K5 sedan has a stylish style, with its angular headlights and aggressive front fascia more than capable of turning heads. The K5 is likewise generous with requirement functions and the GT design has plenty of grunt. That stated, the base design’s engine is doingnothave, the guiding requires enhancement, and its suspension is a bit too stiff for the household sedan section.
2023 Hyundai Sonata: “Poor” IIHS Rating
It’s no surprise the 2023 Hyundai Sonata had numerous of the exactsame concerns as the Kia K5 in the IIHS moderate overlap front crash test—they’re both based on the exactsame platform. The crash test dummy in the back seat of the Sonata showed submarining and the back shoulder belt moved towards the dummy’s neck. The Sonata scored well in IIHS tests in other locations, and the LED headlights on the Premium trim made Hyundai’s household sedan a 2023 Top Safety Pick award.
The 2023 Hyundai Sonata is a 2023 Top Safety Pick.
2023 Hyundai Sonata: Pros and Cons
The 2023 Hyundai Sonata sits at #2 in our general midsize sedan classification, and for excellent factor. It comes with plenty of requirement security tech like automated emergencysituation braking, lane keeping help, and automated high beams. Its pleasing driving characteristics and excellent looks puton’t hurt it either. Our greatest problems is that it doesn’t deal optional all-wheel drive like some of its competitors, and the suspension might stand to be a bit on the softer side.