The Prius has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Ariya doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.
Both the Prius and Ariya have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Prius offers optional Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Ariya’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.
Both the Prius and the Ariya have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Prius is safer than the Nissan Ariya:
|
Prius |
Ariya |
OVERALL STARS |
5 Stars |
4 Stars |
|
Driver |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
4 Stars |
HIC |
163 |
179 |
Neck Injury Risk |
23% |
45.3% |
Neck Stress |
237 lbs. |
387 lbs. |
Neck Compression |
25 lbs. |
57 lbs. |
Leg Forces (l/r) |
131/151 lbs. |
272/267 lbs. |
|
Passenger |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
4 Stars |
Chest Compression |
.6 inches |
.8 inches |
Neck Injury Risk |
25.3% |
43.4% |
Neck Stress |
151 lbs. |
226 lbs. |
Neck Compression |
23 lbs. |
34 lbs. |
Leg Forces (l/r) |
249/159 lbs. |
293/289 lbs. |
New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Prius is safer than the Nissan Ariya:
|
Prius |
Ariya |
|
Front Seat |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
Abdominal Force |
128 lbs. |
155 lbs. |
|
Into Pole |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
4 Stars |
Spine Acceleration |
34 G’s |
56 G’s |
Hip Force |
666 lbs. |
1022 lbs. |
New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.
The Toyota Prius has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned an “Acceptable” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Ariya is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024, though it hasn’t yet been rated in the updated moderate overlap frontal test, a requirement for the “Top Safety Pick Plus” award.