How safe are rear seat passengers in a seven-seater?

What is the safety record for rear seat passengers in a seven-seat car?

Shane Oneill (Kildare)

Jan 2011 Filed under: safety

---

Expert answer

Hi Shane,

I have looked back through the record of Euro NCAP (www.euroncap.com) and there is no major difference between the safety of a third row of seats and the second row of seats.

The modern SUV often has curtain airbags that run the length of the car and these can protect the rear seat passengers in the event of a side collision. There is also a row of seats in front of the third row of seats and this provides extra protection for the third row seats. 

Obviously they are closer to the rear of the car in a rear-end collision, but there is very little information about this available.

If there is anything else specific you'd like to know, please do get back in touch.

Complete Car Adviser