The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has called for better back seat safety in minivans after its latest crash tests.
None of the four minivans tested by the IIHS earned an acceptable or good rating in the updated moderate overlap front crash test, which now emphasizes back seat safety.
The Chrysler Pacifica, Kia Carnival and Toyota Sienna were rated marginal, while the Honda Odyssey was rated poor.
All but the Sienna also lack seat belt reminders for the second-row seats, as IIHS highlighted in February.
“Back seat safety is important for all vehicles, but it’s especially vital for those, like minivans, that customers are choosing specifically to transport their families,” said IIHS President David Harkey.
“It’s disappointing that automakers haven’t acted faster to apply the best available technology to the second row in this vehicle class.”
IIHS launched the updated moderate overlap front test last year after research showed that in newer vehicles the risk of a fatal injury is now higher for belted occupants in the second row than for those in front.
The organization said the reasoning was because improved airbags and advanced seat belts – rarely available in the back – had made front seats safer. However, the IIHS said even with the developments, the back seat still remained the safest place for children, who could be injured by an inflating front airbag, and pointed out that the rating does not apply to children secured properly in child safety seats.
