--- title: "Most Small Cars Are Unsafe for Backseat Passengers: IIHS" description: "According to the IIHS, small cars rate poorly for rear seat safety in the moderate front overlap crash test." date: "2023-05-15" modified: "2023-05-15" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/most-small-cars-are-unsafe-for-backseat-passengers-iihs" categories: - "Car Buying" - "News" --- # Most Small Cars Are Unsafe for Backseat Passengers: IIHS ![]() The [Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]() updated its moderate front overlap crash test last year, where a car hits a barrier with a deformable aluminum face at 40 mph, with only the driver's side of its front end. After realizing that front-seat passengers were far safer than rear-seat passengers, the test was updated to rate backseat safety. Unfortunately for small car owners, none of the five models tested by the IIHS performed well. The five cars tested were the [Honda]() Civic, Toyota Corolla, Kia Forte, Nissan Sentra, and [Subaru Crosstrek](). Of those five cars, the only two that received an overall "Acceptable" rating in the moderate front overlap crash test were the Civic and Corolla. The Forte, Sentra, and Crosstrek all received "Poor" ratings due to their rear seat crash test performance. ![]() Why is it so much more dangerous in the back seat of small cars than in the front seat? Mostly technology. Front seat passengers get better airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners. The lack of an airbag directly in front of rear passengers increases the risk of head and neck injuries, as they're more likely to hit the front seat with their face. The lack of rear seatbelt pre-tensioners causes what the IIHS calls "submarining," which is where a passenger's abdomen slips underneath the lap belt, causing abdominal injuries. ![]() Crash dummies in all five of the small cars experienced submarining, which caused them all to receive a "Poor" rating for their rear restraints and kinematics. The [Civic]() and Corolla scored "Good" ratings in the rest of the rear seat categories: Head and Neck, Chest, and Thigh. Unfortunately, the Forte and Sentra were poorly rated in the Head and Neck category, while the Crosstrek received a "Marginal" rating. Now that the IIHS added rear seat categories to the moderate overlap crash test, it changes the overall ratings for each car, which could play a huge role in which cars customers choose, especially those who are parents. It's worth noting, though, that the IIHS claims that the back seat is still the safest place for young kids, even in these cars, as they can be injured by front airbags. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21dfiwVfnVo *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()