The U.S. Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security slapped every of the 4 minivans within the U.S. and Canadian markets with lower than acceptable scores in its new average entrance overlap crash take a look at, which locations the next emphasis on again seat security.

The Chrysler Pacifica, Kia Carnival and Toyota Sienna acquired IIHS’ “marginal” score; the Honda Odyssey was rated “poor.”

The unfavourable scores stem from adopting improved airbags and superior seat belts in entrance seats whereas overlooking the second row, making a “security hole,” Joe Younger, a spokesperson for IIHS, informed sibling publication Automotive Information.

IIHS discovered that newer, superior airbags and restraints are “not often accessible” within the again.

“Again seat security is vital for all automobiles, nevertheless it’s particularly very important for these, like minivans, that prospects are selecting particularly to move their households,” IIHS President David Harkey mentioned in an announcement.

Whereas security has improved within the entrance seats, there was a comparative improve within the danger of deadly harm for belted, second-row passengers, in keeping with analysis carried out by IIHS.

IIHS up to date its take a look at final 12 months after it found the discovering. The brand new take a look at represents the primary time the company has used a dummy within the again seat to check frontal crash security.

Automakers have carried out an excellent job with improved frontal airbags and extra subtle restraint techniques within the entrance however might not have been doing inside testing to search out alternatives to reinforce second-row security, Younger mentioned.

IIHS is assured automakers will take notice and make the modifications shortly, he mentioned, as most updates is not going to require structural alterations to the car.

The Carnival and Odyssey are anticipated to endure a freshening in 2024, which would supply alternative for the automakers to reinforce security within the second row. That is additionally the case for the Sienna, which is slated for a freshening in 2025. The Pacifica is unlikely to obtain incremental modifications as an all-electric model of the minivan in 2028 is probably going.

Even with the brand new developments, IIHS mentioned the again seat remains to be the most secure place for youngsters, who will be injured when entrance airbags inflate. Moreover, the score doesn’t apply to kids secured correctly in automotive seats.

Kia America spokesman James Bell mentioned the automaker will “rigorously consider the outcomes … as a part of its dedication to steady enchancment in occupant safety” however maintained that each one Kia automobiles offered within the U.S. “meet or exceed” U.S. federal motorcar security requirements.

“Occupant safety is complicated and includes a various vary of variables, and Kia is happy with its robust security file and integrity of its merchandise,” Bell mentioned.

Eric Mayne, a spokesman for Stellantis, mentioned the automaker “routinely considers third-party scores and elements them into our product-development course of, as applicable.”

Mayne additionally mentioned that each one of Stellantis’ fashions meet or exceed U.S. federal security requirements and that no single take a look at determines car security.

Honda spokesperson Chris Martin mentioned that the brand new IIHS take a look at was carried out on fashions that haven’t had an opportunity to be up to date to align with the extra rigorous again seat requirements.

Martin mentioned that the redesigned 2023 Accord was the one sedan of seven to obtain a “good” score in all rear passenger harm measures.

A spokesperson from Toyota declined to touch upon the take a look at outcomes.

For a car to earn an excellent score, the take a look at dummy — which is the scale of a small lady or 12-year-old baby and is located behind the driving force — can’t sign extreme danger of harm to the top, neck, chest or thigh.

All 4 minivans supply good safety within the entrance seat, however every has a number of points in the case of the second row, in keeping with IIHS.

Jessica Jermakian, IIHS vp of auto analysis, mentioned the second-row occupant is weak to chest accidents in all 4 automobiles due to extreme belt forces or poor belt positioning.

These accidents, Jermakian mentioned, will be life-threatening.

All minivans however the Sienna additionally lack seat belt reminders for the second-row seats, as IIHS highlighted in February.