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Both of these high-end SUVs are loaded with thoughtful features and a pampering interior, and vehicles such as these could easily inspire a feeling of safety or confidence on the road.

However, according to the safety test results distributed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), vehicles in the midsize luxury SUV class have considerable variations in the area of safety.

Each of the safety test categories from IIHS explores different aspects of your possible driving experience with the vehicles. More than that, safety analysis is often reviewed by auto insurance companies each time you request a new insurance rate quote.

Therefore, you may be able to determine which of the SUV models could potentially qualify for a more affordable insurance premium by learning more about the various IIHS test results. Make sure to compare rates with our free quote tool above today! 

A Closer Look at the Buick Envision Versus the Audi Q5

When you compare the 2017 Buick Envision to the 2017 Audi Q5, you may notice that both are beautifully designed vehicles that offer incredible performance and luxurious comfort on the road.

However, safety is an important consideration any time you purchase a new car, and the 2017 IIHS test results for the luxury midsize vehicle class is a great resource to rely on to learn more about the Buick and Audi safety ratings.

Rather than issue a blanket safety rating, the IIHS has broken its test results into eight distinct safety categories in three primary areas.

For seven of the eight categories, vehicles received a possible rating of:

• Good
• Average
• Marginal
• Poor

For the eighth safety test category reviewed by the IIHS, which is Front Crash Prevention, vehicles were rated from “superior” at the uppermost level to “basic” at the lowest level.

Crashworthiness

When buying a new SUV, you certainly want to purchase a vehicle that can keep you and other passengers in the vehicle safe in the event of a collision or accident.

The IIHS primary safety group of Crashworthiness examines this available across five distinctive categories.

These five categories include Head Restraints and Seats, Side, Roof Strength, Front Moderate Overlap, and Front Side Overlap. In all five of these safety test areas, the Audi and Buick SUV models had a “good” test result.

Crash Avoidance and Mitigation

This safety area is analyzed under the Crash Avoidance and Mitigation safety group, which includes the Front Crash Prevention category and the Headlights category.

For Front Crash Prevention, the IIHS gave the Buick SUV an “advanced” rating, and it gave the Audi SUV a better rating of “superior.”

For the Headlights category, the IIHS gave the Audi a “marginal” test result, and it gave the Buick a better rating of “average.”

LATCH for the Child Seat Anchors

The last of the eight safety test areas analyzed by the IIHS for luxury midsize SUV models in 2017 is the LATCH category.

LATCH examines how easy it is for drivers to attach child safety seats to the anchors in the back seating area and you should remember that a car seat must be correctly installed in order to keep the child as safe as possible.

While the Buick SUV only received a “marginal” score in this category, the Audi had a “good” score for the LATCH test.

2017 Top Safety Pick and/or 2017 Top Safety Pick+

The IIHS awards for Top Safety Pick+ and the Top Safety Pick make it easy for you to determine which SUV may be safer for you to drive overall when all test results are examined.

Both of these awards require the vehicles to rank in the Crashworthiness sections at the highest possible level of “good.” The vehicles analyzed also need to receive a higher score in the Front Crash Prevention safety section.

The difference between these two IIHS awards is that the vehicles must also have a better rating for Headlights to qualify for Top Safety Pick+.

While the Audi SUV model for 2017 had the highest rating possible in all areas but one and the Buick SUV for 2017 had lower ratings in two of the safety areas tested, the Audi only received the Top Safety Pick for 2017 award.

On the other hand, the Buick received the Top Safety Pick+ award because it had higher ratings in the test areas that were most important for this particular award.

Is Buick safer than Audi in 2017 for midsize luxury SUVs?

When you compare the IIHS safety test results for all eight categories reviewed, you will notice that the Audi had better ratings than the Buick in several areas, including the Front Crash Prevention and LATCH categories.

The Buick, on the other hand, had a better Headlights rating, and both of the SUVs scored the same in all other areas tested.

With this in mind, you will need to determine which of these safety areas analyzed by the IIHS are most important to you as a driver and as a vehicle buyer.

Before You Buy Your Next SUV

There are numerous factors besides safety that could impact your SUV buying decision, such as the fuel economy of the SUV, its dependability on the road, the standard and optional features available, the cost, and more.

Auto insurance premiums can also vary from SUV to SUV, so it could be helpful to obtain a few online insurance quotes for the Audi and Buick models for 2017 before you make a firm decision about which vehicle to buy.

Remember that auto insurance premiums are a rather significant aspect of your budget, and you may be able to find a vehicle that is more affordable to insure when you compare online quotes before you sign purchase documents.

Compare rates now with our free quote tool below! 

Safety Comparisons

12.12.2017 / safety comparison / safety features