A good rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is one of the best indicators of a car’s safety and security, and the news that a car has been rated well is good to hear not only for the vehicle’s creators, but for anyone who drives that vehicle. The 2023 Escape recently received an overall Good rating from the IIHS after undergoing testing.
The IIHS has recently updated some of their testing, including the front overlap crash testing. The original test only measured the force of impact to front seat passengers, but the updated version now measures the danger to both front and rear seat passengers to make the test and the resulting safety rating more comprehensive. The 2023 Escape successfully passed this test, and it is one of only two vehicles to receive a “good” rating, the highest that the IIHS offers, out of the 15 small SUVs that have been tested.
Other new evaluations that have been recently added include an updated side crash test. This test is meant to simulate crashes where two vehicles collide at an intersection, using a heavy barrier to simulate the striking vehicle. The barrier used to weigh 3,300 lbs and move at 31 mph, but it has been updated to weigh 4,200 lbs and move at 37 mph, creating more energy in the collision to better recreate real accidents.
Becoming an IIHS Top Safety Pick is a challenging process, and receiving this rating is a good first step for the 2023 Escape. In order to qualify, a vehicle must receive “good” or higher ratings in six different crash tests, as well as “advanced” or higher ratings for any available front crash prevention features they might have, vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention features and vehicle-to-pedestrian crash prevention features. The vehicle must also receive “acceptable” or “good” ratings for available headlights.
The 2023 Ford Escape has more testing to go through, but it’s starting off on the right foot with this most recent rating. The 2023 Escape is being assembled at the Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky, and is currently available to order. The vehicle is expected to reach dealerships early in 2023, so if you’re interested in getting one for yourself, place an order with us at Brian Hoskins Ford today!