2024 Forester News: Only Model to Earn Top Rating in Latest IIHS Front Crash Prevention Test

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash-tests most new vehicles, focusing on a range of different areas. Subaru’s ongoing commitment to safety has earned it numerous Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick + awards, and the 2024 Forester was the only model to earn the top “Good” rating in the IIHS new front crash prevention tests.

Early testing occurred when front crash prevention technology was still in its infancy, and recent updates run the trials at much higher speeds. While the first tests looked at 12 and 25 mph speeds, the new requirements tested at 31, 37, and 43 mph. The IIHS also tests with motorcycle and trailer targets to determine how well the systems detect different threats on the road. In the trailer tests, only the forward collision warning system is evaluated, and the driver is expected to steer out of the way of danger.

IIHS testing gives points for forward collision warnings that sound at least 2.1 seconds before the projected time of impact. The vehicle’s ability to slow itself by at least two-thirds and sound a warning before impact comprises one-third of the total score.

The Forester’s automatic emergency braking (AEB) system helped it avoid the motorcycle target at 31 and 37 mph and slowed the vehicle to around 30 mph at the fastest 43 mph speed. Its forward-collision warnings also sounded at the required 2.1 seconds before impact. Subaru said it avoided collisions in all of the tested speed categories.

The IIHS awarded the Forester with a Top Safety Pick designation, thanks to the AEB and other tests. Subaru equips a range of other safety tech, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warnings, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warnings, lane keep assist, and a rearview camera. Some configurations add driver attention monitoring, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, and more.

In addition to new collision-avoidance tests, the IIHS has also updated its criteria to account for heavier new vehicles and rear-occupant safety. It uses more side-impact force to simulate impacts from heavy EVs, and the new moderate front overlap test looks at how well a vehicle protects rear passengers with belt positioning and body movement sensors.

If you want to learn more about the 2024 Subaru Forester’s safety tech or the features of any other new model, Subaru of Rochester has you covered. We’d be excited to show you all the latest features – minus a crash test – and can explain how each system works in-depth.