I've been studying the crash test data and my logic leads me to say that the side impact passenger data isn't useful for carseats - am I right or nuts (or both). This is very counterintuitive as this is probably the one rating that parents care about most
In terms of NHTSA testing, the side impact test has both a front driver and rear passenger ratings. However many cars have a high driver but low rear passenger score (e.g., 2011 toyota camry). However this seems to primarily reflect the "restraint" abilities for a 5th percentile female (e.g., how well the seat belt protects a smaller person). However in the case of car seats, you have already pre-locked the seatbelts - so there is no risk of them not locking fast enough. Thus the side impact driver score and the structural data from IIHS seem more relevant. So if it has a high driver score, the low passenger is not important for children in car seats.
Does this seem right?
In terms of NHTSA testing, the side impact test has both a front driver and rear passenger ratings. However many cars have a high driver but low rear passenger score (e.g., 2011 toyota camry). However this seems to primarily reflect the "restraint" abilities for a 5th percentile female (e.g., how well the seat belt protects a smaller person). However in the case of car seats, you have already pre-locked the seatbelts - so there is no risk of them not locking fast enough. Thus the side impact driver score and the structural data from IIHS seem more relevant. So if it has a high driver score, the low passenger is not important for children in car seats.
Does this seem right?