Study: Most Mid-Size SUVs Lack Rear Passenger Protection
By Carl Malek
March 13, 2023
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IIHS image
A new study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has revealed that most mid-size SUVs lack good protection for rear occupants in frontal crashes.
The agency’s latest findings come in the wake of it recently updating the moderate overlap front crash test to add a test dummy behind the driver. While the test still includes a front-seat-mounted dummy, the updated version is highlighting how important protection is for rear occupants: IIHS tested 13 mid-size SUVs and found that only four nameplates over three model years earned good ratings.
Good
2022-23 Ford Explorer
2021-23 Ford Mustang Mach-E
2022-23 Subaru Ascent
2022-23 Tesla Model Y
Marginal
2022-23 Chevrolet Traverse
2022-23 Toyota Highlander
2022-23 Volkswagen Atlas
Poor
2022 Honda Pilot
2022-23 Hyundai Palisade
2022-23 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2021-23 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited/four-door
2021-23 Mazda CX-9
2021-23 Nissan Murano
IIHS image
The findings are the result of enhanced measurements provided by a rear-mounted dummy that’s supposed to represent a small woman or 12-year-old child. To earn a good rating, measurements recorded by the second-row dummy’s sensors must not exceed the limits that show an excessive risk of injury to the head, neck, chest, abdomen or thigh. IIHS also examines video footage and paint on the dummy’s head to see if the vehicle’s seat belts prevent the head from hitting interior pieces, such as the front seatback, and that the dummy’s body does not slide forward underneath the seat belt.
In the marginal-rated vehicles, excess seat belt tension and movement of the belt itself were the two most prominent issues; both factors can increase the risk of chest and abdominal injuries. Meanwhile, the poor-rated vehicles had other problems: The head of the rear passenger in the Murano came close to hitting the front seatback, while the head of the rear passenger in the Grand Cherokee ended up between the airbag and the window after it deployed, which increased the risk of head injuries. The Wrangler’s poor rating was due to the lack of rear side curtain airbags and the seat belt moving from the dummy’s pelvis to its abdomen.
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