Only 2 Honda SUVs from 2023 Earn Coveted Five-Star NHTSA Safety Rating
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There are a few brands that are synonymous with safety and SUVs. Honda is one of those brands. Even though it has four family-friendly SUVs in the lineup for 2023, only two of those Honda SUVs earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Between the 2023 Honda HR-V, CR-V, Passport, and Pilot, let’s check out which sport utility vehicles impressed with safety.
The 2023 Honda HR-V SUV earned a five-star safety rating.
For a subcompact SUV like the 2023 Honda HR-V, a five-star safety rating is a big deal. When the NHTSA tested the HR-V this year, the SUV protected the driver and occupants in each segment. On the overall front exam, the Honda SUV protected the passengers in the head-on collision segment. This test simulates a head-on collision between two similar vehicles at 35 mph.
Below is a chart that shows all of the 2023 Honda SUV safety ratings from the NHTSA and the IIHS. The 2023 HR-V earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and an IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus award.
| Model | NHTSA Safety Rating | IIHS Safety Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Honda HR-V | ★★★★★ | Top Safety Pick + |
| 2023 Honda CR-V | No Rating | Top Safety Pick + |
| 2023 Hond Pilot | No Rating | Top Safety Pick + |
| 2023 Honda Passport | ★★★★★ | No Award |
Similarly, the side crash test examines how well the SUV holds up in various side collisions. On the side barrier test that simulates an intersection collision with two vehicles. The 2023 HR-V protected both the passenger and driver for a five-star rating. It also earned a five-star rating on the side pole test, which simulates a crash into a fixed object.
The NHTSA also tested some of the HR-V’s standard safety systems, such as Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning. These systems, along with Crash Imminent Braking and Dynamic Brake Support, met performance criteria and came standard on all trim levels.
Another safe Honda SUV is the 2023 Passport
In the midsize SUV segment, the 2023 Honda Passport proved to be a safe choice for drivers. To earn a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA, the Passport had to protect the occupants in the same tests. The 2023 Passport earned high marks in the frontal crash segment and the side crash segment.
The NHTSA also tested the reliable midsize SUV for a rollover risk. It earned a four-star safety rating in the rollover test and did not flip over, which is essential for larger SUVs that can be top-heavy. Honda’s two-row Passport also had its recommended safety technologies tested. Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Crash Imminent Braking, and Dynamic Brake Support all met performance criteria and came standard on all trim levels of the Honda SUV.
When tested by the IIHS, the 2023 Passport saw mixed results. It earned high marks in most of the main crashworthiness tests, but a moderate score on the updated side test made it ineligible for a safety award this year.
What about the 2023 Honda CR-V and Pilot?
There are four Honda SUVs that could be crash-tested by the NHTSA this year, but the 2023 Pilot and 2023 CR-V have not undergone testing. Both SUVs are listed on the NHTSA’s list of vehicles eligible for five-star safety ratings, but no score is available yet. This is exceptionally odd because the CR-V is the best-selling SUV for the Honda brand. The Pilot is also a big seller, but the HR-V is currently ahead of it in sales.
Both the Pilot and CR-V earned Top Safety Pick Plus awards from the IIHS this year, which isn’t an easy feat. Testing is more stringent each year to stay on top of ever-changing safety methods. You can read our full review of the classy, quiet, and efficient CR-V for a more in-depth look at what makes it great.
The Pilot and CR-V are still undergoing testing, but the 2024 models are well on their way to consumers. Keep an eye out for those safety scores in the near future.
