IIHS Evaluation of rear crash protection in SUVs, pickup trucks, & minivans

[Jeanum]

The IIHS has released the results of its evaluation of rear crash protection in 87 current model SUVs, pickups, and minivans, based on geometric measurements of head restraints and simulated crashes to assess how well vehicle occupants of different sizes would be protected from neck injury or whiplash in a typical rear crash. 54 of the evaluated models were assigned a rating of marginal or poor, while 21 models earned a good rating, and 12 were rated acceptable.

Click on this link for the IIHS news release and a video link: http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr070307.html

Rear crash protection .pdf report, including SUV, pickup and minivan model rating charts: http://www.iihs.org/news/2007/iihs_news_070307.pdf Also of note in the report are new NHTSA requirements for improving front seat head restraints, to be phased in starting in September 2009. (No mention of any requirement or mandatory changes for improving rear seat head restraints, though.)

IIHS vehicle ratings page to see other passenger car models and/or other IIHS crash type evaluations: http://www.iihs.org/ratings/default.aspx

[1girltwinboyz]

Interesting about the Honda Ody. I was just rear ended in heavy traffic almost 2 weeks ago. Dd and I were shook up but fine - no injuries. But whoa my rear hatch was smashed in well. I guess that absorbed the impact instead of us? And we inturn hit the construction pick up truck in front of us. It had a huge tow hitch and was not damaged at all. BUT the impact from behind me send my front down and under that hitch. I should post some pics. Its not pretty and still another week or more until its fixed