Chevrolet SUV Models Safety Ratings 2024: IIHS Top Safety Picks and Crash Test Results
When it comes to 2024 Chevrolet SUVs, safety ratings are a mixed bag—the midsize Blazer shines in crash tests, while the large Tahoe and small Trax struggle with newer, stricter IIHS evaluations.
Chevrolet builds SUVs for just about every lifestyle, from the compact Trax to the full-size Suburban. But if safety is your top priority, knowing which models earned top marks—and which ones fell short—can make all the difference.
TL;DR
For 2024, no Chevrolet SUV earned a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Chevrolet Blazer performed well in crashworthiness tests, earning “Good” ratings for small overlap and moderate overlap front protection. The Chevrolet Tahoe struggled in IIHS testing, receiving a “Poor” rating in the updated moderate overlap front test and “Marginal” for pedestrian crash prevention and headlights. The Chevrolet Trax scored “Poor” in the updated moderate overlap test and “Marginal” for headlights. Meanwhile, NHTSA ratings show the Traverse and Suburban earning 4- and 5-star overall scores.
How IIHS Ratings Work
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety evaluates vehicles on several key criteria. To earn a Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must:
- Earn a “Good” rating in three different crash tests
- Have “Good” or “Acceptable” headlights standard on all trims
- Achieve “Good” or “Acceptable” scores for pedestrian front-crash prevention
The higher Top Safety Pick+ award requires even more rigorous performance, particularly in the updated side and moderate overlap tests that now evaluate rear-seat occupant protection.
2024 Chevrolet Blazer: A Strong Performer
The midsize Chevrolet Blazer is the standout Chevrolet SUV in IIHS testing for 2024.
| Evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Small overlap front | Good |
| Moderate overlap front (original test) | Good |
| Front crash prevention: pedestrian (standard system) | Advanced |
| LATCH ease of use | Acceptable |
Key safety features:
- Standard lane departure warning
- Optional blind spot detection
- Optional lane departure prevention
The Blazer also earned “Advanced” ratings for both standard and optional pedestrian front-crash prevention systems . While it didn’t receive a Top Safety Pick award, its crashworthiness scores are solid.
2024 Chevrolet Tahoe: Trouble in the Large SUV Segment
The full-size Chevrolet Tahoe had a rough showing in IIHS testing. It was one of three large SUVs evaluated alongside the Jeep Wagoneer and Ford Expedition—and only the Wagoneer earned a Top Safety Pick award .
IIHS Crash Test Results
| Test | Rating |
|---|---|
| Driver-side small overlap | Acceptable |
| Passenger-side small overlap | Poor |
| Updated moderate overlap front | Poor |
| Headlights | Poor |
| Pedestrian crash prevention | Marginal |
What Went Wrong
The Tahoe’s performance in the updated moderate overlap front test was concerning. This test places a dummy in both the driver’s seat and the rear seat to evaluate protection for back-seat passengers. The Tahoe showed a “high risk of head or neck injuries, along with the chest injury risks” for rear occupants . The second-row lap belt also “slid onto the rear dummy’s abdomen from the ideal position on the pelvis, increasing the risk of abdominal injuries” .
If you carry passengers in the second row regularly, the Tahoe’s rear-seat protection is something to consider carefully.
Why No Top Safety Pick?
The Tahoe fell short in multiple areas:
- Subpar performance in the small overlap test
- “Poor” headlight rating
- “Marginal” pedestrian crash prevention score
GM responded by noting the Tahoe achieved a 4-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and meets federal safety standards . But IIHS testing is intentionally more stringent than government requirements.
2024 Chevrolet Trax: The Small SUV Struggles
The redesigned 2024 Chevrolet Trax also faced challenges in IIHS testing. In fact, no small American SUV—including the Trax—earned a Top Safety Pick for 2024 or 2025 .
IIHS Results
| Evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Updated moderate overlap front | Poor |
| Side impact (updated test) | Tested |
| Headlights | Marginal |
| Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle | Poor |
| Front crash prevention: pedestrian | Marginal |
The Concerns
The Trax scored “Poor” in the updated frontal crash test, with the IIHS reporting a “marked possibility of rear passenger head and neck injuries in a head-on crash” . Its low-beam headlights also provided inadequate visibility , and the automatic emergency braking system showed limited effectiveness in some scenarios .
The Trax did earn a 4-star rating from NHTSA, just missing the top 5-star score .
2024 Chevrolet Traverse and Suburban: NHTSA Ratings
For buyers focused on NHTSA ratings, the Chevrolet Traverse and Suburban deliver strong scores.
2024 Chevrolet Traverse (NHTSA)
| Trim | Frontal Driver | Frontal Passenger | Side Front | Side Rear | Rollover | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2WD Models | 5 stars | 4 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars | 4 stars | 5 stars |
| 4×4 Models | 5 stars | 4 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars | 4 stars | 5 stars |
2024 Chevrolet Suburban (NHTSA)
| Trim | Frontal Driver | Frontal Passenger | Side Front | Side Rear | Rollover | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2WD Models | 5 stars | 4 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars | 3 stars | 4 stars |
| 4×4 Models | 5 stars | 4 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars | 3 stars | 4 stars |
Chart: IIHS Ratings at a Glance
How Do Chevrolet SUVs Compare to the Competition?
The full-size SUV segment tells a clear story. In IIHS testing, the Jeep Wagoneer outperformed both the Tahoe and the Ford Expedition, earning the only Top Safety Pick among the three. The Wagoneer scored “Good” in the small overlap test and received “Good” or “Acceptable” headlight ratings across all trims .
However, even the Wagoneer couldn’t earn the higher Top Safety Pick+ award because all three large SUVs showed “fairly high risk of chest injuries” for rear-seat occupants in the updated moderate overlap test .
Among small SUVs, the story is similar. Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, and Subaru models dominated the Top Safety Pick list for 2024-2025, with the Honda HR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-30, and Subaru Forester earning Top Safety Pick+ ratings .
What This Means for Buyers
If you’re shopping for a 2024 Chevrolet SUV, here’s a quick summary:
| Model | IIHS Standing | NHTSA Overall |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Blazer | Good crashworthiness scores | Not available |
| Chevrolet Tahoe | Poor in updated moderate overlap test | 4 stars |
| Chevrolet Trax | Poor in frontal crash test | 4 stars |
| Chevrolet Traverse | Not tested by IIHS | 5 stars |
| Chevrolet Suburban | Not tested by IIHS | 4 stars |
For families prioritizing rear-seat safety, the 2024 Tahoe’s IIHS performance is worth a closer look. The “Poor” rating in the updated moderate overlap test means second-row passengers face higher injury risks in certain crashes than they should.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which 2024 Chevrolet SUVs are IIHS Top Safety Picks?
None. No Chevrolet SUV earned a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award for the 2024 model year.
Is the 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe safe?
The Tahoe meets federal safety standards and earned a 4-star NHTSA overall rating. However, it performed poorly in IIHS testing, receiving “Poor” ratings for the updated moderate overlap front test and headlights, and a “Marginal” pedestrian crash prevention score.
How did the Chevrolet Traverse do in safety testing?
The 2024 Traverse earned 5-star NHTSA overall ratings for both 2WD and 4×4 models. It has not been evaluated by IIHS for 2024.
What is the difference between NHTSA and IIHS ratings?
NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) is a government agency that uses a 5-star rating system. IIHS is an independent, nonprofit organization that uses stricter criteria, including “Good,” “Acceptable,” “Marginal,” and “Poor” ratings. IIHS tests are often more demanding than federal standards.
Why didn’t the Trax get good safety ratings?
The 2024 Trax scored “Poor” in the updated moderate overlap frontal crash test, with the IIHS noting a significant risk of rear passenger head and neck injuries. Its headlights and pedestrian crash prevention systems also received low ratings.
Does the Blazer have good safety ratings?
Yes. The 2024 Blazer earned “Good” ratings for small overlap and moderate overlap front crash tests, along with “Advanced” ratings for pedestrian front-crash prevention.
References
Verified Sources for Chevrolet SUV Safety Ratings:
- IIHS – 2024 Chevrolet Blazer Ratings
- IIHS – 2024 Chevrolet Trax Ratings
- Detroit Free Press – Large SUV Safety Test Results
- Consumer Reports – Large SUVs Struggle in Crash Tests
- Yahoo Finance – Large SUV Safety Rankings
- MotorBiscuit – Small SUVs and IIHS Top Safety Picks
- iSeeCars – 2024 Traverse NHTSA Ratings
- iSeeCars – 2024 Suburban NHTSA Ratings
What matters most to you in an SUV—crash test ratings, safety features, or something else? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
