Researchers examined the real - world experience of passenger vehicles equipped with
autobrake systems designed to operate at speeds up to 30 kph (19 mph).
IIHS research on front crash prevention has found that systems
with autobrake cut more crashes than systems that only issue warnings (see «Crashes avoided: Front crash prevention slashes police - reported rear - end crashes,» Jan. 28, 2016).
The C - Class equipped with Collision Prevention Assist Plus avoided a collision in both the Low - Speed and High -
Speed Autobrake tests.
The Bolt was able to completely avoid collisions during
autobrake tests conducted from 12 mph and 25 mph.
In its latest tests, IIHS engineers evaluated
rear autobrake systems on six 2017 model vehicles — the BMW 5 series sedan, Cadillac XT5, Infiniti QX60, Jeep Cherokee, Subaru Outback and Toyota Prius.
In September, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and IIHS announced an agreement in principle with automakers to
make autobrake standard on all models.
IIHS evaluates the stopping capabilities of vehicles equipped with
autobrake in two tests at 12 and 25 mph on the Vehicle Research Center test track.
«The point
of autobrake systems is to help inattentive drivers avoid rear - ending another car,» Zuby explains.
Likewise, the Tucson's acceptable - rated headlights aren't available on the model with a superior rating
for autobrake.
Euro NCAP includes
autobrake as a factor in how it rates vehicles in the safety group's consumer information program.
The analyses show that forward collision warning alone reduces rear - end crashes by 23 percent, while forward collision warning with
autobrake reduces them by 39 percent.
To earn Top Safety Pick +, vehicles also must have an
available autobrake system that earns an advanced or superior rating.
Cars are rated either Basic, Advanced, or Superior depending on whether they provide only a forward collision audio - visual warning or also
autobraking functions.
In just two rounds of tests, automakers have shown a strong commitment to improving systems in order to maximize the safety benefits (see «Quick work: Better
autobrake helps more models earn top ratings for front crash prevention,» May 29, 2014).
Euro NCAP says its findings support the group's decision to
include autobrake as a factor in its safety ratings program for consumers.
Among 2015 models, 212 of 784
offer autobrake, more than twice as many as in the 2012 model year.
To gauge
how autobrake systems from different manufacturers perform, the Institute conducted a series of five test runs at speeds of 12 and 25 mph on the track at the Vehicle Research Center in Ruckersville, Va..
The inclusion of tests for pedestrian -
detecting autobrake systems drove a huge increase in fitment of this life - saving technology, mostly as standard equipment but also as an option.
With standard City Safety, which includes pedestrian, cyclist, vehicle and large animal detection with
emergency autobrake, the XC40 is one of the best - equipped small premium SUVs on the market.
Automakers have voluntarily committed to make
front autobrake standard on nearly all new models sold by 2022.
Seven earn the highest rating of superior when equipped with
optional autobrake and forward collision warning systems.
This is the third year the Institute has released ratings for front crash prevention systems (see «Quick work:
Better autobrake helps more models earn top ratings for front crash prevention,» May 29, 2014, and «First crash avoidance ratings under new test program: 7 midsize vehicles earn top marks,» Sept. 27, 2013).
Toyota
added autobrake to the Avalon, a large family car, and the RAV4, a small SUV, to qualify for Top Safety Pick +.
Without autobrake the XT5 ran up $ 3,477 in estimated repair bills after dinging the pole (bumper cover, tailgate, hitch bar, energy absorber, rear body panel, trim and assorted brackets).
An optional driver assistance package provides
autobrake capability at intersections, a system that'll prevent your door from opening if it would come in contact with a bicyclist and a system that can raise the vehicle when it detects an impending side collision.
This includes a variety of safety systems
like autobrake, adaptive cruise control, rear parking sensors and lane - keep assist.
Cicchino's previous studies found that front crash prevention with
autobrake cuts the rate of front - to - rear crashes in half and that rearview cameras can prevent about 1 in 6 backing crashes.
The IIHS protocol is similar to the procedure the European New Car Assessment Programme uses to
evaluate autobrake systems, which the group plans to begin rating in 2014.
This includes the City Safety suite with front collision warning and
full autobrake in the event of an impending crash.
The addition of
autobrake boosts the minivan's front crash prevention rating from basic to superior.
Other autobrake systems can slow down or completely stop the car to avoid some front - to - rear crashes if its driver doesn't brake or steer out of the way in response to a warning.
The Murano's
autobrake nearly avoided a collision in the 12 mph IIHS track test and reduced the vehicle's speed by 11 mph in the 25 mph test.
The two awards also require an advanced or superior rating for crash prevention,
meaning autobrake as standard equipment or at least as an option.
Standard equipment includes forward and
reverse autobrake, a panoramic moonroof, a head - up display, a 360 - degree camera system and parking sensors.
Other safety options include city -
friendly autobrake and lane departure warning, and every 2 Series comes with run - flat tyres.
The optional Cross Traffic Alert with
autobrake further improves safety for people inside and outside the car.
Rear
autobrake bundled with rear parking sensors and a rearview camera can cut backing crash rates by more than 75 percent, new IIHS research shows.
The 2016 winner's circle includes some redesigned models with improved frontal crash protection and
autobrake features, which help to prevent or mitigate certain frontal crashes.
Additional points are awarded
for autobrake, based on performance in IIHS track tests at 12 mph and 25 mph.
Ratings are determined by whether the vehicles have available
rear autobrake and, if so, how it performs in a series of car - to - car and car - to - pole tests with different approach angles.
The Institute rates vehicles as basic, advanced or superior for front crash prevention depending on whether they
offer autobrake and, if so, how effective it is in tests at 12 and 25 mph.
The inclusion of tests for pedestrian -
detecting autobrake systems drove a huge increase in fitment of this technology, mostly as standard equipment but also as an option.
Included in our «Ultimate Package» Ioniq Hybrid Limited was the all - important forward collision prevention system with
emergency autobraking.