Subaru gets 4 IIHS TSP awards

Subaru announced that four of its vehicles have been awarded the Top Safety Pick Honors from the United States (US) Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

These vehicles are namely the Subaru Ascent (known in the Philippines as the Evoltis), Impreza, Outback, and Solterra electric vehicle.

The said vehicles passed the assessment despite the more stringent review and test process conducted by the non-profit safety institution.

“We followed the tougher requirements we introduced last year with another major update to the award criteria in 2024,” said IIHS President David Harkey.

“This year’s winners are true standouts, offering the highest level of protection for both vehicle occupants and other vulnerable road users,” he added.

Tested vehicles in 2024 must earn a “good” rating in the updated side crash test to get either a Top Safety Pick or a Top Safety Pick+ award. In the past, either a “good” or “acceptable” rating was enough to get a nameplate a Top Safety Pick honor.

Furthermore, evaluated vehicles now need a “good” or “acceptable” rating in a revised version of the pedestrian front crash prevention evaluation to qualify for either award.

Per IIHS, the new version replaced the earlier daytime and nighttime tests with a single evaluation, which includes some tests run in daylight and some in the dark. Previously, vehicles could earn the lower-tier award regardless of whether they could detect and avoid pedestrians in the dark.

The biggest change to the 2024 award criteria — the safety organization noted — is the replacement of the original moderate front overlap test with the updated version in the Top Safety Pick+ category. Vehicles looking to get the said award must now get a “good” or “acceptable” rating in the updated evaluation, which adds a second dummy seated behind the driver and emphasizes back seat safety.

For tested vehicles to earn either award they must offer good protection in a small overlap front crash where 25 percent of the vehicle’s width on either side collides with another vehicle or a stationary object. This year, the driver-side and passenger-side evaluations have been combined into a single rating.

Award winners also must have good or acceptable headlights equipped on all trim levels.

The 2024 Subaru Impreza, Outback, and Solterra received the Top Safety Pick award. On the other hand, the 2024 Ascent earned the Top Safety Pick+ award.

Winning yet another handful of Top Safety Pick honors proved just how committed Subaru is to safety, especially since most of the vehicles sold by the Tokyo-based auto brand are touted as more than just city cars built for paved roads.

“Subaru's commitment to safety is renewed daily in the cars and SUVs we deliver to our customers,” Subaru of America President and Chief Operating Officer Jeff Walters said.

“With tougher criteria again for 2024, we're proud to be recognized by the IIHS this year with Top Safety Pick awards,” he added.

Recently, Subaru Philippines staged the Subaru Adventure Tour Drive, which saw a handful of Forester, Outback, and Crosstrek sport utility vehicles play in Camp Well in Tanay, Rizal.

The event featured how well the said models perform on rough roads with diverse terrains as well as on the busy roads of the metro.

Photos from Juan Paulo Papa

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