IIHS Crash Tests Raise Questions about Second-Row Safety in Minivans

• The IIHS has released a moderate overlap crash test analysis for minivans, and the results might surprise you.

• Front seat safety is superb in the four remaining minivans, but analysis of back seat safety shows significant struggles from all four manufacturers.

• Kia, Toyota, Honda, and Chrysler received marginal or poor back seat safety ratings due to submarining, excessive neck movement, and a lack of airbag deployment.

Earlier this year, we reported on a safety feature that is often overlooked, particularly in minivans and three-row SUVs. It was a shock to learn that seatbelt reminder chimes are loosely federally mandated, particularly for rear seat passengers. In fact, current federal regulations don't require any seatbelt reminders beyond the driver's seat.

Naturally, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety took issue with this, reporting that such lackluster seatbelt reminders were leading to an increased injury rate for children. More than a third of 4-12-year-old children killed in crashes were unrestrained, according to crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Additionally, the IIHS found that most manufacturers stick to the minimum chime time required to pass federal regulations, despite research showing that longer duration or even indefinite reminders can increase belt use by more than 30%. However, new crash test results indicate that just being buckled in doesn't guarantee a high level of safety, either.

Admittedly, the modern minivan market is sparse, as theoretically cooler SUVs took over family hauling responsibilities. However, Toyota, Honda, Kia, and Chrysler are keeping the segment alive in 2023, with Kia being the newest entrant in the class. At a glance, crash test results for all of these minivans show proper modern safety standards.

In fact, all four models receive the highest rating of good across the board in front seat safety, save for a single markdown due to leg and foot injury potential in the 2023 Toyota Sienna. Spin your head around, however, and the picture in the rear two rows of seats isn't pretty, according to updated IIHS moderate overlap crash test data.

"In the updated test, a second dummy is positioned in the second row behind the driver. The driver dummy is the size of an average adult man. The rear dummy is the size of a small woman or 12-year-old child. IIHS researchers also developed new metrics that focus on the injuries most frequently seen in back seat passengers," the IIHS report reads.