Right here at Jalopnik, we’re large followers of minivans. They will not be as cool as SUVs, however they’re simply so rattling sensible it’s onerous to care. And moreover, it’s not like anyone’s saying, “Rattling, try that badass Toyota Highlander.” However as the newest Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security check exhibits, not one of the minivans at present on sale within the U.S. excel the place you’d hope they might: rear seat security.
The IIHS has an up to date average overlap entrance crash check that it claims to have applied as a result of the danger of deadly harm is now greater for second-row passengers carrying their seatbelts than it’s for the motive force and entrance passenger. It’s necessary to notice, although, that the issue isn’t that the second and third rows have grow to be extra harmful. As an alternative, it’s as a result of the entrance seats have gotten even safer than they already have been. Moreover, it’s nonetheless safer for kids to journey within the again till they’re sufficiently old for the entrance seat.
When the IIHS examined minivans just lately, none acquired a score of acceptable or good. The Chrysler Pacifica, Kia Carnival and Toyota Sienna earned a marginal score, whereas the Honda Odyssey received a poor score. And solely the Sienna got here with seatbelt reminders for second-row occupants.
“The restraint programs in all 4 autos go away the second-row occupant susceptible to chest accidents, both due to extreme belt forces or poor belt positioning,” Jessica Jermakian, IIHS vp of auto analysis, mentioned in an announcement. “That’s regarding as a result of these accidents could be life-threatening.”
Along with being the one minivan supplied with rear seatbelt reminders, the Sienna can be the one belt pre-tensioners and drive limiters. Even so, the rear check dummy nonetheless slid beneath the lap belt, and the shoulder belt slid too near its neck. Within the different two marginally rated minivans, the seatbelt utilized an excessive amount of drive to the check dummy’s chest. Moreover, the Pacifica’s aspect curtain airbag didn’t deploy within the check. As for the Honda Odyssey, the rear check dummies skilled much more drive on their heads and necks, whereas the third-row seatbelt didn’t cease the dummy’s head from coming dangerously near hitting the seat in entrance of it.
“Again seat security is necessary for all autos, but it surely’s particularly important for these, like minivans, that clients are selecting particularly to move their households,” IIHS President David Harkey mentioned in an announcement. “It’s disappointing that automakers haven’t acted sooner to use the very best obtainable expertise to the second row on this car class.”