Subaru Forester, Toyota Rav4 top IIHS pedestrian-braking tests [Video]

The BMW X1 was the most disappointing, with 'minimal to no speed reductions' in most scenarios.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has released the results of its latest test category, focusing on automatic braking performance when pedestrians are in the road.

The first round of tests included 11 small SUVs equipped with pedestrian crash avoidance technology. The 2018-2019 Honda CR-V, 2019 Subaru Forester, 2019 Toyota Rav4 and 2019 Volvo XC40 all earned the highest rating of 'superior,' while an 'advanced' category included the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox, 2018-2019 Hyundai Kona, 2019 Kia Sportage, 2018-2019 Mazda CX-5 and 2019 Nissan Rogue. The 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander landed a 'basic' rating and the 2018-2019 BMW X1 was the worst performer with no official rating credit.

The test regiment includes three different test track scenarios run at different speeds with dummies that replicate both adults and children. The most challenging test simulates a child darting into the street from behind two parked vehicles. Other tests place the dummy in front of the vehicle with no more than one second before impact. Credit is given both for speed mitigation and audible warnings that provide enough time for a driver to slam on the brakes.

The Forester and Rav4 were the only vehicles to avoid hitting the dummies in every perpendicular test. The X1, meanwhile, didn't brake at all when approaching an adult dummy at 37 mph and showed "minimal to no speed reductions" in the other tests, despite being equipped with BMW's Daytime Pedestrian Detection system.

"We want to encourage manufacturers to include pedestrian detection capabilities as they equip more of their vehicles with automatic emergency braking systems," says IIHS safety testing manager David Aylor. "We also want to arm consumers with information about these systems so they can make smart choices when shopping for a new vehicle."

The group says pedestrian deaths have risen 45 percent since reaching their lowest point in 2009.