The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has launched a rear crash prevention ratings program to help consumers identify models with the technology that can prevent or mitigate low-speed backing crashes. The information from the study can be used as a tool to help dealers sell the safety benefits of certain optional equipment.
The Subaru Outback and Cadillac XT5 earn a superior rating when equipped with optional rear autobrake, parking sensors and rear cross-traffic alert. The Jeep Cherokee, BMW 5 series, Infiniti QX60 and Toyota Prius earn an advanced rating with this optional gear.
Note that the ratings evaluate the rear crash prevention systems’ ability to prevent damage in low-speed crashes, not their ability to mitigate injuries in crashes.
The combination of a rearview camera, rear parking sensors and rear autobrake is reducing backing crashes reported to police by 78 percent, a new IIHS study of General Motors vehicles found.
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