Recent crash test ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reveal that most small pickups are not adequately protecting rear passengers. The ratings demonstrate that none of the five small crew cab pickups tested received a good rating, with the Nissan Frontier being the only one rated acceptable. The Ford Ranger earned a marginal rating, while the Chevrolet Colorado, Jeep Gladiator, and Toyota Tacoma all received poor ratings. It is important to note that these ratings only apply to the crew cab versions of the vehicles.

The IIHS introduced an updated moderate overlap front test last year after research indicated that the risk of severe injury is now higher for belted occupants in the rear seats of newer vehicles compared to those in the front seats. This increased risk does not mean that the rear seats have become less safe. Instead, it is a result of enhanced airbags and advanced seat belts, which are typically not available in the back seats. However, despite these safety advancements, the back seat remains the safest place for young children, as they can be harmed by deploying front airbags.

To incentivize manufacturers to improve rear-seat protection, the updated test includes a dummy placed in the back seat behind the driver. This dummy represents the size of an average adult man, while the driver dummy represents a small woman or a 12-year-old child. IIHS researchers have also developed new metrics that focus on the most common injuries observed among back-seat passengers.

For a vehicle to receive a good rating, there must not be an excessive risk of injury to the head, neck, chest, or thigh, as measured by the second-row dummy. The dummy should remain in the correct position during the crash and should not slide forward beneath the lap belt, a phenomenon referred to as “submarining.” Additionally, the head should maintain a safe distance from the front seatback and other parts of the vehicle interior. A pressure sensor on the rear dummy’s torso helps determine if the shoulder belt is properly positioned, as an incorrectly positioned belt can reduce the effectiveness of the restraint system.

Similar to the original test, the vehicle’s occupant compartment structure must ensure adequate survival space for the driver, and measurements taken from the driver dummy should not indicate an excessive risk of injuries.

While all five small pickups provided good protection in the front seats, measurements indicated a slightly higher risk of leg or foot injuries to the driver in the Gladiator and Tacoma.

In the case of the Colorado, Frontier, Ranger, and Tacoma, the restraints in the back seats allowed the rear dummy’s head to approach too closely to the front seatbacks. However, this was not a concern for the Gladiator. On the other hand, the Gladiator lacks side curtain airbags in the rear, increasing the risk of injury from a severe impact with the vehicle’s interior or external objects.

In the Ranger, the rear dummy slid beneath the lap belt, causing it to move from the ideal pelvic position to the abdomen. This movement increases the risk of internal injuries.

Furthermore, injury measurements taken from the rear dummy indicated a moderate or probable risk of both neck and chest injuries in the poorly rated Colorado, Gladiator, and Tacoma. Additionally, the marginal-rated Ranger posed a moderate risk of chest injuries.

In conclusion, the latest crash test ratings emphasize the need for improved protection for rear passengers in small pickups. While manufacturers have made significant advancements in front-seat safety, more attention must be given to rear-seat occupants. By addressing the identified issues and focusing on reducing the risk of injuries to the head, neck, chest, and thighs, manufacturers can enhance the overall safety of their small pickups and better protect all occupants on the road.

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#RearSeatProtection
#CrashTestRatings
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