A test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) compared the safety of backseat passengers in seven different midsize vehicles, with one coming out as a clear winner.
The test was created as a response to research that has suggested safety for rear seat passengers has stagnated while safety for front seat passengers has improved, rendering the rear seat less safe.
The seven vehicles tested were a Subaru Outback, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry, Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, Volkswagen Jetta, and Honda Accord.
The Subaru Outback earned an acceptable rating in backseat safety, while the Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry were ranked as marginal. The Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, and Volkswagen Jetta all rated poorly.
According to IIHS President David Harkey, the problem with most of the vehicles tested was the rear dummy sliding forward–also referred to as submarining–underneath the lap belt, causing it to ride up onto the abdomen and posing a risk for internal injury.
The Honda Accord was the only vehicle to receive a good rating, with test dummies showing no heightened risk of injuries and the rear restraints adequately controlling motion.
