NHTSA Selects 23 Vehicles for 2027 Crash Testing, With Separate ADAS Reviews
NHTSA has named 23 model-year 2027 vehicles for its crash-testing program, alongside separate selections for pedestrian protection and driver-assistance checks. The October 15, 2026 announcement is a test plan—not a new set of five-star awards.
The distinction matters for shoppers: appearing on the list does not establish that a model has passed, earned a particular rating or been judged safer than a vehicle absent from the list. NHTSA says results will follow testing and quality-control checks.
Three lists answer different questions
The crash-safety group covers frontal, side and rollover evaluations. It includes the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Kia EV3 and Slate pickup. NHTSA projects 87 percent coverage for its ratings overall—not 23 freshly tested models accounting for that entire share.
A separate 18-vehicle group is selected for pedestrian-protection verification, including the Kia EV3, Tesla Model 3 and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. Ten vehicles are selected for verification of five driver-assistance functions: automatic emergency braking, pedestrian automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, blind spot warning and blind spot intervention.
Rivian’s R2 appears in the ADAS group, not the release’s 23-vehicle crash-testing table. Buyers should therefore check which assessment applies instead of treating inclusion anywhere in the announcement as a promise of a new crash-star score.
Where buyers can check the eventual results
NHTSA directs consumers to its ratings and vehicle-comparison tools. Look up the exact model year and review the type of assessment reported, rather than transferring a headline from a different year or assuming a pending result.
Safety ratings and recall status answer different questions. A scheduled test is not a recall, and an existing rating does not remove the need to check for open recalls. Our Hyundai and Genesis seat-motor recall report illustrates that separate owner-notification and repair process.
Illustrative stock photo of a vehicle seat and belt—not an NHTSA test vehicle, crash test or test result. Photo: serjan midili / Unsplash; image source; Unsplash License.