IIHS crash test results recently released show strides being made by some small crossover SUVs in crash tests. The Ford Escape, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan Rogue and Volkswagen Tiguan all achieved a rating of "Top Safety Pick", the best ranking. They joined the podium with existing high achievers, the Honda CR-V and Element and the Subaru Forester.

The IIHS declares a "Top Safety Pick" when a vehicle achieves good ratings in all three, front, side, and rear impact tests. Another requirement for the top rating is that the vehicle offer electronic stability control, addressing the fact that this feature can reduce a high number of fatalities attributed to accidents involving a single vehicle which loses control.

The 40 mph offset frontal crash assesses a vehicle's structural integrity as a means of protecting the occupants. The side impact crash test is designed to assess the protection offered to occupants when their vehicle is struck by an SUV or truck. The rear crash protection/head restraint test predicts how well the seat and head restraint equipment will protect occupants against whiplash injuries.

There was one vehicle, the redesigned 2008 Jeep Wrangler which dropped in crash test performance from "marginal" last year to "poor" in side impact. Despite this single backslide, the IIHS recommends other small SUVs over small cars for fuel efficiency since small SUVs protect their occupants better.