Rear passenger protection falls short in most midsize SUVs - IIHS News

*The rating criteria for the updated moderate overlap front test were adjusted in 2024 to better account for variations in the position of the rear shoulder belt. The ratings provided in this news release reflect the methodology that IIHS used at the time of publication. Under the new methodology, the Subaru Ascent’s overall rating is acceptable instead of good and the Nissan Murano’s rating is marginal instead of poor. In addition, some of the component ratings changed for those vehicles and others whose overall ratings remained the same. Up-to-date ratings using the current criteria can be found in the vehicle ratings section of our website.*

IIHS news release • March 14, 2023

Rear passenger protection falls short in most midsize SUVs

Most midsize SUVs offer inadequate front crash protection for passengers seated in the rear, the latest crash test ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety show.

“All these vehicles provide excellent protection for the driver,” said IIHS President David Harkey, “but only a handful extend that level of safety to the back seat.”

IIHS recently updated its longstanding moderate overlap front crash test to add a rear passenger dummy positioned behind the driver. Although the test still includes a driver dummy, rear passenger protection is the main thing currently differentiating vehicles in this test.

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[gatorfishin]

This is shocking. How have we gone this far without testing second row? Better seatbelts in second row should heaven been mandated years ago. Who knew?

[Wasabi]

Could iihs test all 3 rows in vehicles with 3 rows, like a minivan? I frequently have kids in all 3 rows of my minivan and I want to make sure everyone’s safe. Thanks!

[Ficon]

That $5 in parts saved by Toyota and Hyundai is really paying off. Watch Jeep only update the left seatbelt mechanism because IIHS doesn’t test the right side (they did this with the old GC which passed SORB on the left and completely failed on the right). Lack of vertical motion in EVs due to low center of mass really helps.

[officialyasir]

How do parents put their kids in Jeep Wranglers? Just horrendous

[Azrael]

I look forward to seeing how manufacturers update their safety systems moving forward.

[johnmurphy]

When will you test 3rd row seating rear impact crash?!? Kids and people are sitting in the crumple zone for YEARS

[JackC]

PLEASE do whiplash testing on the bench seats in the rear too.

[spikez]

I feel as though the updated moderate overlap test should also have an increase of speed. Speed limits have substantially increased since the IIHS started these tests in the early 90’s.

[FrozenDount]

Since were talking about SUVs and their safety, how come larger SUVs like the Chevy Suburban or Ford Expedition not evaluated in any of the crash-worthiness tests? be great to know, cause I see more and more of these SUVs on the road everyday. Also, does this test mean that testing third-row seats in SUVs is a possibility??

[plmn]

Why don't you test third row safety in rear end collisions? They are obviously death traps, yet millions of families put their kids back there.

[myharryface]

You guys save lives! Good for you IIHS! Thank you for being our watch dog and ever increasing safer standards. This YouTube channel should have 10 million subscribers and be the most influential channel planetary wide ... at least it would in my world. We'll just have to settle for folks like me and the other commenters below to keep spreading the word to family and friends. Only buy from companies that care for ALL vehicle occupants and pedestrians and, and and and!

[andrepoiy]

Great! Now waiting for a dummy in the third row...

[UriahStuff]

Amazing IIHS! Don't let those companies get away with cheaping out on safety!

[Volkswagen]

makes me wonder if they will ever do an updated small over lap crash test

[whiteandnerdytuba]

How the hell was this not already being tested

[victorg]

I would like to see a rear-end crash test for mid-size and compact suvs. Many families are using these vehicles for daily driving. I doubt anyone will survive a crash seating on the 3rd road.

[luke]

0:17 that was that red light runner crash test audio. The one with the grey Ford F150 and red Chrysler Sebring.

[JackSassyPants]

This is really neat! Please implement a pedestrian safety test in full size trucks and SUVs so I don't die if I'm struck by a vehicle with a 5 1/2 ft tall grill, thanks.

[ilovevolvo]

very sad that my hyundai palisade was one of the worst preformers :(

[frankmartin]

I’m glad they didn’t test the 4Runner! I don’t want to know how bad 20 years old tech is doing…