This can be a story we’ve heard earlier than. Automakers have centered on front-passenger security, delivering stable protections for the driving force and one different individual, however many automobiles fall brief on the subject of backseat security. Earlier this 12 months, the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security discovered that minivans didn’t adequately defend backseat passengers, and the IIHS’ most up-to-date findings present that full-size pickup vans are aren’t protected sufficient for second-row passengers, both.
The IIHS checked out 4 massive pickups, together with the Ram 1500, Ford F-150, Toyota Tundra, and Chevrolet Silverado 1500, all 2023 fashions. Apart from the Silverado, which earned an “Acceptable” rating, the group grabbed high “Good” marks for side-crash security. Sadly, the identical couldn’t be stated for his or her rear-seat protections.
This discovering doesn’t imply that second-row seats are much less protected than earlier than. It’s extra of a sign that automakers have offered upgraded airbags, higher seatbelts, and different options that always don’t make it to backseat passengers. Regardless of that discovering, the IIHS stated that kids are nonetheless most secure within the again and famous that its decrease scores don’t apply to kids correctly secured in security seats.
Revisions to the IIHS take a look at requirements embrace extra power in aspect checks and a heavier emphasis on backseat security within the reasonable overlap entrance crash take a look at. The Tundra scored highest within the new take a look at however solely earned a “Marginal” ranking. The opposite three vans returned “Poor” scores. A stable efficiency within the reasonable overlap entrance take a look at is required to earn a Prime Security Choose award.
IIHS officers periodically replace the group’s crash-test requirements to maintain up with new tech and tendencies within the auto trade. The extra intense side-crash testing helps simulate the collision forces generated by immediately’s heavy EVs, vans, and SUVs. A number of beforehand high-flying automobiles misplaced their Prime Security Choose designations with the replace, and the IIHS’ up to date reasonable overlap take a look at has additional slimmed the sector.
To see the movies of the eight crash checks — overlap and aspect for every of the 4 vans — head to the IIHS channel at YouTube.