It conducted low-speed crash tests involving SUVs that were struck by smaller sedans made by the same automaker.
In the tests, a Ford Focus hit the back of a Ford Escape, causing more than $2,000 in repairs to the Escape and $5,200 to the Focus.
A Toyota Corolla sedan striking the back of a Toyota Rav 4 SUV caused more than $6,000 in repairs to the SUV and nearly $4,000 to the Corolla.
The institute also noted repair costs in crash tests for other models including the Nissan Rogue and Sentra and the Honda CRV and Civic.