How Safe Are Three-Row SUVs?
Three-row SUVs have largely taken the place of minivans as the family vehicle of choice. But how safe are three-row SUVs really?
Written by Amanda Lien
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Three-row SUVs have become a popular choice for families who need extra room. However, as SUVs keep getting bigger and there’s more space for cargo and passengers, one question keeps coming up: are passengers
safe in the back row
? Simply put, there isn’t enough testing to determine the answer. The focus of real-world crash data tends to be on frontal-crash and side-impact safety. There isn’t currently a test for impact from behind for people riding in the third row, according to a
Consumer Reports report
. There are several tests currently in development to change this. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has recently been developing three-row SUV safety testing. For the most part, this testing will show how crash-test dummies perform during a frontal impact, but there is a possibility the organization will eventually focus on rear-impact safety as well.
Three-row SUV passenger safety
There are things you can do to make sure you’re safe if you’re sitting in the third row. If an older child or adult is seated back there, make sure they’re always wearing their seat belt and have proper belt fit. The shoulder belt should be centered across the collarbone and chest, and the lap belt should fit low across the hips.
If you’re putting children in the third row, make sure they’re in the correct car seat for their age, height and weight. Also make sure the car seat is securely installed and that your child is properly secured inside the car seat.
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Are passengers safe in the third row?
Without evidence of a problem or safety concern, automakers aren’t required to conduct rear-crash tests. Although third-row passengers are closer to the impact point in rear collisions, they are farther from that point in the more common front collision, which are usually more harmful.
The biggest danger to third-row passengers is a rear-end crash, specifically one when the passenger is an adult and sitting in a seat with an inadequate head restraint and no seat belt, according to Consumer Reports.
On the other hand, third-row seats are usually found in larger and heavier vehicles, which typically provide better crash protection. However, the growing trend of three-row SUVs that are smaller is concerning to experts because there’s little crush space available in the event of a severe rear-end impact.
What’s the verdict?
There is very little evidence that the third row is less safe overall, but taking prudent measures to keep yourself and your loved ones safe is always the smart choice. Wear your seatbelt and ensure everyone else does too, and that they’re properly fitted. Ensure children are in the right sized car seat for their age and size, and that the car seat is properly installed in the vehicle.
And, when in doubt, leave the third row empty for cargo and keep your children in the second row. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
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