IIHS Says Your Kids Aren't Safe In Minivans Anymore

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has updated its crash testing program due to a glaring gap in rear passenger protection, particularly in minivans and pickups.

New testing standards that include rear-seat passengers have led to fewer vehicles qualifying for top safety awards, with only 48 models meeting the stricter criteria—down from 71 last year.

This year's IIHS results found that rear passengers are at a higher risk of fatal injury compared to those in the front. The organization has raised its standards to ensure that second-row occupants receive the same level of protection as front-seat passengers. The updated testing now evaluates seat-belt effectiveness in head-on crashes, with a focus on pre-tensioners and load limiters—features commonly found in the front seats but often absent in the rear.

Among large pickups, only the Rivian R1T and Toyota Tundra met the heightened safety requirements, while no minivans, large cars, minicars, or small pickups qualified. Small and midsize SUVs dominated the list of winners, accounting for the majority of the 48 vehicles that earned either Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ designations.

To better assess real-world safety outcomes, IIHS introduced a new crash test dummy representing a small woman or a 12-year-old child in the rear seat.

Researchers focused on the potential for submarining, where smaller occupants slide beneath the seat belt, increasing the risk of abdominal injuries. Rear passenger "excursion"—how far forward a rear-seat passenger's head moves in a crash—was also monitored.

While the second row remains the safest place for children under 13, the latest findings demand automakers to improve backseat protection—as a parent, imagine selecting a minivan for safety only to find it's one of the most unsafe vehicles for your children.

The IIHS study also highlights growing disparities in safety features between trim levels, with some automakers limiting advanced safety tech to higher-end models. The IIHS's goal is to push for "safety equity" across all vehicle models, ensuring that essential crash protection features are accessible to all buyers, regardless of trim level or package.

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