Only two Toyota small SUVs have earned the Top Safety Pick+ designation

Safety is as much a part of buying a new SUV as utility. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also recognizes this and ranks SUVs, cars, and trucks based on their safety ratings. A Top Safety Pick is fine, but if you see the little + or more, that’s an even better rating from the IIHS. For 2022, only two Toyota small SUVs earned the + rating: the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross and the Toyota RAV4 Prime.
Is the Toyota RAV4 a safe vehicle?
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The Toyota RAV4 got the Top Safety Pick designation, but only the RAV4 Prime got the +, which is interesting because it’s almost the same SUV. The RAV4 Prime passed the parallel test, while the RAV4 Prime earned the highest score from the IIHS. The Prime also got higher marks for its rear passenger head protection and for its better headlights, according to the IIHS.
The RAV4 has a lot more ratings than many other SUVs, it’s just that the RAV4 Prime has more. The Prime is a plug-in hybrid WUV with an MSRP of $39,800, while the top XSE version starts at $43,125. The base two-wheel-drive gas-powered RAV4 starts at around $27,000. But RAV4 Primes are hot and rare right now and dealers are asking for a high premium.
What is the safety rating of the Toyota Corolla Cross?

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The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross gets a Top Safety Pick+ award, just like its four-door car namesake, the 2022 Toyota Corolla. The Corolla Cross is an all-new 2022 SUV from Toyota and it is based on the Corolla sedan. It has a starting MSRP of $22,195, making it one of the cheapest SUVs to earn the + designation.
The Corolla Cross gets top marks from the IIHS in almost the category, but for its headlights. But, with an increase in the XLE’s trim levels, you can get better LED projector beams that earn it a higher rank.
What other small SUVs have earned the Top Safety Pick+ award?

The list of 2022 models is long and includes 12 other small SUVs. The Volvo C40, XC40 and XC40 Recharge are on the list. The Subaru Forester is the only Subaru on the list, while the Mazda CX-5 and CX-30 both earned the +. The Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan Rogue, Kia Seltos and Chevy Trailblazer made the list for 2022 along with the Ford Bronco Sport and Hyundai Tucson. The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is the only small EV SUV to earn the +.
What is the IIHS test used for?

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For many of us, safety is a primary consideration when buying a new SUV. The IIHS is a non-profit organization that rates vehicles based on dozens of criteria. The IIHS tests vehicles and rates each for a variety of options and features.
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