03:42 09-04-2026

Minivans fail IIHS safety tests for second-row passenger protection

Not a single minivan made it onto the IIHS Top Safety Pick list following the institute's updated 2026 crash tests. The primary reason was insufficient protection for second-row passengers, despite strong performance in other areas. This is significant because minivans are traditionally viewed as family vehicles and should provide maximum safety for all occupants.

What the New IIHS Tests Revealed

The Chrysler Pacifica, Honda Odyssey, Kia Carnival, and Toyota Sienna were all tested. None of these models demonstrated adequate protection for rear passengers in the updated moderate overlap test. In fact, not one vehicle earned even an Acceptable rating in this category.

The Pacifica, Carnival, and Sienna received Marginal ratings, while the Odyssey performed worst with a Poor rating. This automatically excluded all minivans from the top safety list. However, the models showed good results in other tests, including frontal and side impacts.

Key Safety Issues

The main problem lies not with body structure, but with seatbelt performance and the loads placed on passengers. The tests recorded elevated risks of head, neck, and chest injuries. The Honda Odyssey showed particularly concerning results, with critical loads recorded on the test dummies.

A separate issue was the submarining effect, where seatbelts ride up onto a passenger's abdomen. This increases injury risk during collisions and points to deficiencies in belt geometry. In some cases, there were also noted problems with side airbag deployment.

The test results serve as a signal to manufacturers that safety requirements continue to tighten. This is especially true for rear seats, which previously received less development focus. Now, this factor could become key when choosing a family vehicle.

Why Minivans Lagged Behind Crossovers

The primary reason is an outdated approach to rear passenger safety. For years, manufacturers concentrated on protecting the driver and front passenger, making the second row less of a priority. The new IIHS tests specifically shifted focus to this area.

Crossovers and new platforms are already being designed with such requirements in mind, which explains their more consistent results. Minivans, however, largely remain based on older engineering solutions. Consequently, the segment aimed at families appears less prepared for modern standards.

Overall, minivans haven't become generally dangerous vehicles, but it's now clear the rear row is their weak spot. For buyers, this is important to consider immediately, especially when selecting a family car. Until manufacturers redesign restraint systems and second-row protection, crossovers will appear to be the safer choice.