2023Midsize Sedan Safety Ratings: Honda Accord Earns “Good” Rating, While Others Fall Short

When evaluating cars, safety is paramount. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently assessed the safety of several 2023 midsize sedans, subjecting them to a stringent new crash test with a focus on rear seat protection. Here’s how these vehicles fared.

As the evaluation of automobiles extends beyond driving dynamics, features, tech, and price, safety remains an integral consideration. For 2023, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted a rigorous assessment of midsize sedans, introducing an updated and more demanding version of its moderate overlap front crash test. This updated test places a particular emphasis on rear seat protection, with a dummy representing a small woman or a 12-year-old child placed in the rear seat, alongside the traditional adult male dummy in the driver’s seat.

The IIHS updated this test based on research indicating that newer vehicles pose a higher risk of fatal injury for belted occupants in the rear seats compared to the front seats. This shift is not due to rear seats becoming less safe, but rather because enhanced airbags and seatbelts, which are typically unavailable in the back, have increased front-seat safety. However, the IIHS underlines that the rear seat remains the safest place for young children, as they can be harmed by rapidly inflating airbags.

Here’s how six vehicles performed in this new test, along with their rankings on the MotorTrend Ultimate Car Rankings:

1. 2023 Volkswagen Jetta: IIHS Rating: Poor

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta received a poor rating in the specific IIHS test for small rear seat passengers. The test revealed that the rear passenger’s head came perilously close to the front seatback, with additional measurements indicating potential head, neck, and chest injuries, as well as excessive belt forces. Although the 2022 Jetta earned good scores in crashworthiness categories, it fell short in areas such as headlights, seatbelt reminders, and child seat tether anchors. In MotorTrend rankings, the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta occupies the last position in the compact sedan category.

2. 2023 Kia K5: IIHS Rating: Poor

The 2023 Kia K5 earned a poor rating in the moderate overlap front crash test, primarily due to the risk of “submarining,” where a rear-seat passenger slides beneath the lap belt, potentially causing internal injuries. In the K5, the rear shoulder belt also moved off the shoulder, which is undesirable. However, the 2023 Kia K5 is recognized as a 2022 Top Safety Pick.

3. 2023 Hyundai Sonata: IIHS Rating: Poor

Sharing a platform with the Kia K5, the 2023 Hyundai Sonata experienced similar issues in the IIHS moderate overlap front crash test, including submarining and the rear shoulder belt moving toward the dummy’s neck. Nevertheless, the Sonata excelled in other IIHS tests, earning a 2023 Top Safety Pick award.

4. 2023 Toyota Camry: IIHS Rating: Marginal

The 2023 Toyota Camry outperformed the Jetta, K5, and Sonata but still received a marginal rating in the moderate overlap front crash test. The test revealed submarining and shoulder belt movement toward the neck of the rear passenger dummy, although head, neck, and chest injury results were comparatively better.

5. 2023 Nissan Altima: IIHS Rating: Marginal

Submarining and shoulder belt migration to the neck were evident in the IIHS test of the 2023 Nissan Altima, resulting in a marginal rating. However, the test indicated only a moderate risk of head and neck injuries for the rear passenger.

6. 2023 Subaru Outback: IIHS Rating: Acceptable

The 2023 Subaru Outback stands out as the top-rated vehicle in the midsize SUV category and is the sole SUV among the models assessed by IIHS. While the Outback’s rear dummy exhibited submarining under the rear lap belt, head proximity to the front seatback, and no mention of shoulder belt migration to the neck, the results were deemed acceptable. The 2023 Subaru Outback is recognized as a 2023 Top Safety Pick+.

7. 2023 Honda Accord: IIHS Rating: Good

In contrast to its competitors, the 2023 Honda Accord achieved a good rating in the IIHS moderate overlap front crash test, with stellar protection for rear-seat occupants. The rear dummy measurements showed no increased injury risk, and the Accord earned high marks for rear restraints. Across the board, the 2023 Honda Accord’s scores were consistently good, except for an acceptable rating for driver’s leg and foot injury measures. The 2023 Honda Accord is a 2023 Top Safety Pick+.

In this comprehensive safety evaluation, the 2023 Honda Accord stands as the lone vehicle to secure a “good” rating, reflecting its commitment to safety and rear seat protection. As consumers weigh their options in the midsize sedan segment, safety considerations will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in their choices.