P&A Providers & Administrators
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Testing Shows Inadequate Back-Seat Protection

Updated IIHS crash test gives none of five models good rating.

May 11, 2023
Testing Shows Inadequate Back-Seat Protection

The Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla sedans received “acceptable” ratings in the test, while the Kia Forte, Nissan Sentra and Subaru Crosstrek got “poor” ratings.

IMAGE: Pexels/Marta Wave

1 min to read


A new study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that most small cars provide inadequate protection for rear-seat passengers.

The crash-test ratings show that none of the five models that the nonprofit organization tested earned a good score for back-seat protection.

“These results highlight one of the key reasons that we updated our moderate overlap front crash test,” said IIHS President David Harkey. “In all the small cars we tested, the rear dummy ‘submarined’ under the seat belt, causing the lap belt to ride up onto the abdomen and increasing the risk of internal injuries.”

Ad Loading...

The Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla sedans received “acceptable” ratings in the test, while the Kia Forte, Nissan Sentra and Subaru Crosstrek got “poor” ratings.

IIHS started the updated test last year after research indicated that in newer vehicles, risk of fatal injury is higher for belted vehicle occupants in the back seat than for those in front seats, it said in a press release. That’s because the front seat has been made safer with updated airbags and seatbelts rarely included in the back seat, it said, though it emphasized that the back seat is still the safest for young children, who can get hurt by inflated front airbags.

LEARN MORE: Tougher Standards Mean Fewer IIHS Safety Awards

Originally posted on Auto Dealer Today

More Industry

Orange electric vehicle charging station.
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•October 20, 2026

Charger Network Growth Slows

Despite a projected increase in public EV chargers in 2026, charging infrastructure remains a top concern for consumers as the gap between the most and least EV-friendly places remains substantial.

Read More →
Fan of $100 bills atop a white envelope
Industry•by Hannah Mitchell•October 13, 2026

Lenders, Consumers Take on More Auto Loan Risk

September records loosened credit access the most in over a decade as buyers took advantage of the conditions to afford trading, though loan applications fell.

Read More →
Red type R Honda civic parked on road.
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•October 13, 2026

Next-Gen Hybrids in Sight

Dealerships can expect to see revamped hybrids from Honda next year as the company rolls out a new system and model lineup.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Dodge ram emblem on orange vehicle exterior
Industry•by Hannah Mitchell•October 6, 2026

Gem State Stores Change Hands

A larger auto group founded in the industry’s early years sold two franchises to a neighbor group that's on a growth spurt.

Read More →
Graphic of model car driving on fake road.
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•October 6, 2026

Charging In Motion

Honda has been researching wireless in-motion charging for electric vehicles since 2025, and new technology developments have put it a step closer to a final product.

Read More →
front grill of a Ford truck with blue Ford emblem
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•September 30, 2026

Twin Cities Stores Sell

Minnesota-based Walser Automotive Group made what it called the most significant acquisition in its history with a three-rooftop deal in Minneapolis.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Diesel engine on a production line in a factory
Industry•by Hannah Mitchell•September 29, 2026

U.S. Auto Sales Still Below Prepandemic Levels

Mobility Global industry observers don’t expect the market to return to the higher volumes that became routine before Covid but to stay well below its potential.

Read More →
Front of red tesla car.
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•September 22, 2026

The Powertrain Shift

Electric-vehicle owners are backpedaling, according to new data, with product availability driving many to shift back to gas-powered engines.

Read More →
White BMW SUV driving on road.
Industry•by Hannah Mitchell•September 15, 2026

Achromatic Autos

The shades that dominate the U.S. car market don’t call attention to themselves, though grayscale may have plateaued after a 30-year upswing, research shows.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Line of eclipse SUVs in parking lot.
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•September 15, 2026

Used-Vehicle Affordability Worsens

Listing prices in August defied seasonal trends, rising above $27,000 for the second time this year.

Read More →