Vehicle head restraint ratings results of tests

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Good Rating Good Note: Seat/head restraints with marginal or poor geometry aren't tested dynamically because they cannot protect taller people in rear-end crashes. These seats are rated poor overall. Seat/head restraints with good or acceptable geometry are tested dynamically (see Attachment 1).
Acceptable Rating Acceptable
Marginal Rating Marginal
Poor Rating Poor

Make/model

Seat Type

Overall Rating

Dynamic Rating

Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint

Acura

        
Acura RL
2001-04 models		 all seats Overall Poor Rating not tested
(see note)		 Poor Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Acura TL
2004-05 models		 all seats Overall Marginal Rating Poor Dynamic Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Acura TSX
2004-05 models		 all seats Overall Poor Rating Poor Dynamic Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
         

Audi

        
Audi A4
2004-05 models		 seats that adjust manually Overall Poor Rating Poor Dynamic Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Audi A4
2004-05 models		 seats with power adjustment Overall Poor Rating Poor Dynamic Rating Acceptable Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Audi S4
2004-05 models		 all seats Overall Poor Rating Poor Dynamic Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Audi A6
2005 models		 all seats
active head restraints		 Overall Acceptable Rating Acceptable Dynamic Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
         

BMW

        
BMW 3 Series
2002-05 models		 all seats Overall Poor Rating Poor Dynamic Rating Acceptable Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
BMW 5 Series
2004-05 models		 base seats Overall Poor Rating Poor Dynamic Rating Acceptable Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
BMW 5 Series
2004-05 models		 sport seats
active head restraints		 Overall Acceptable Rating Acceptable Dynamic Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating

       

Buick

        
Buick Century
2001-05 models		 cloth seats Overall Poor Rating not tested
(see note)		 Marginal Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Buick Century
2001-05 models		 leather seats Overall Poor Rating not tested
(see note)		 Poor Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Buick Regal
2001-05 models		 all seats Overall Poor Rating not tested
(see note)		 Poor Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Buick Lesabre
2003-05 models		 all seats
active head restraints		 Overall Poor Rating not tested
(see note)		 Poor Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Buick Park Avenue
2003-05 models		 all seats Overall Poor Rating not tested
(see note)		 Poor Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
         

Cadillac

        
Cadillac CTS
2003-05 models		 seats without adjustable lumbar Overall Poor Rating Poor Dynamic Rating Acceptable Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Cadillac Seville
2001-04 models		 all seats Overall Poor Rating not tested
(see note)		 Poor Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
         

Chevrolet

        
Chevrolet Cavalier
2001-05 models		 all seats Overall Poor Rating not tested
(see note)		 Poor Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Chevrolet Classic
(formerly Malibu) 2003-05 models		 cloth seats Overall Poor Rating not tested
(see note)		 Marginal Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Chevrolet Classic
(formerly Malibu) 2003-05 models		 leather seats Overall Poor Rating not tested
(see note)		 Poor Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Chevrolet Epica
2004-05 models		 all seats Overall Poor Rating not tested
(see note)		 Marginal Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Chevrolet Impala
2001-05 models		 cloth bucket seats Overall Poor Rating not tested
(see note)		 Marginal Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Chevrolet Impala
2001-05 models		 leather bucket seats Overall Poor Rating not tested
(see note)		 Poor Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Chevrolet Malibu
2004-05 models		 all seats Overall Acceptable Rating Acceptable Dynamic Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Chevrolet Optra
2004-05 models		 all seats Overall Poor Rating Poor Dynamic Rating Acceptable Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating

       

Chrysler

        
Chrysler Sebring
2003-05 models		 seats that recline manually Overall Poor Rating not tested
(see note)		 Marginal Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Chrysler Sebring
2003-05 models		 seats with power recline Overall Acceptable Rating Acceptable Dynamic Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Chrysler 300
2005 models		 all seats Overall Acceptable Rating Acceptable Dynamic Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
         

Dodge

        
Dodge Neon
2001-05 models		 seats with adjustable head restraints Overall Poor Rating Poor Dynamic Rating Acceptable Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Dodge Stratus
2003-05 models		 base seats Overall Poor Rating Poor Dynamic Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Dodge Stratus
2003-05 models		 8-way power seats Overall Acceptable Rating Acceptable Dynamic Rating Acceptable Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
         

Ford

        
Ford Focus
2001-05 models		 all seats Overall Marginal Rating Marginal Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Ford Taurus
2004-05 models		 all seats Overall Marginal Rating Marginal Rating Acceptable Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Ford Crown Victoria
2003-05 models		 seats with adjustable lumbar Overall Marginal Rating Marginal Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
         

Honda

        
Honda Civic
2003-05 models		 base seats Overall Poor Rating not tested
(see note)		 Marginal Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Honda Civic
2003-05 models		 seats with adjustable height Overall Poor Rating Poor Dynamic Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Honda Accord
2003-05 models		 LX models
standard seats		 Overall Poor Rating Poor Dynamic Rating Acceptable Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Honda Accord
2003-05 models		 EX models
standard seats		 Overall Poor Rating Poor Dynamic Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating

       

Hyundai

        
Hyundai Elantra
2001-05 models		 all seats Overall Poor Rating Poor Dynamic Rating Acceptable Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Hyundai Sonata
2001-05 models		 GL models Overall Poor Rating Poor Dynamic Rating Acceptable Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Hyundai XG350
2002-05 models		 all seats Overall Poor Rating Poor Dynamic Rating Acceptable Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
         

Infiniti

        
Infiniti I35
2002-04 models		 all seats
active head restraints		 Overall Poor Rating Poor Dynamic Rating Acceptable Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Infiniti G35
2005 models		 all seats mfg. after 8/2004
active head restraints		 Overall Poor Rating Poor Dynamic Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Infiniti Q45
2005 models		 all seats mfg. after 10/2004
active head restraints		 Overall Marginal Rating Marginal Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
         

Jaguar

        
Jaguar X-Type
2004-05 models		 all seats Overall Poor Rating Poor Dynamic Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Jaguar S-Type
2005 models		 all seats Overall Good Rating Good Dynamic Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
         

KIA

        
KIA Spectra
2005 models		 all seats
active head restraints		 Overall Acceptable Rating Acceptable Dynamic Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
KIA Optima
2001-05 models		 seats that adjust manually Overall Poor Rating Poor Dynamic Rating Acceptable Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
KIA Amanti
2005 models		 all seats mfg. after 8/2004
active head restraints		 Overall Acceptable Rating Acceptable Dynamic Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating

       

Lexus

        
Lexus IS
2001-05 models		 all seats Overall Marginal Rating Marginal Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Lexus ES
2004-05 models		 all seats Overall Poor Rating Poor Dynamic Rating Acceptable Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Lexus GS
2003-05 models		 all seats Overall Marginal Rating Marginal Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Lexus LS
2001-05 models		 all seats Overall Marginal Rating Marginal Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
         

Lincoln

        
Lincoln LS
2003-05 models		 all seats Overall Acceptable Rating Acceptable Dynamic Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Lincoln Town Car
2003-05 models		 all seats Overall Marginal Rating Marginal Rating Acceptable Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
         

Mazda

        
Mazda 3
2004-05 models		 base seats Overall Marginal Rating Marginal Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Mazda 3
2004-05 models		 seats with adjustable lumbar Overall Marginal Rating Marginal Rating Acceptable Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Mazda 6
2003-05 models		 seats without adjustable lumbar Overall Marginal Rating Marginal Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Mazda 6
2003-05 models		 seats with adjustable lumbar Overall Poor Rating Poor Dynamic Rating Acceptable Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
         

Mercedes

        
Mercedes C Class
2004-05 models		 seats with head restraints that adjust automatically Overall Marginal Rating Marginal Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Mercedes E Class
2004-05 models		 seats with head restraints that adjust automatically Overall Acceptable Rating Acceptable Dynamic Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
         

Mercury

        
Mercury Sable
2004-05 models		 all seats Overall Poor Rating Poor Dynamic Rating Acceptable Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Mercury Grand Marquis
2003-05 models		 all seats Overall Marginal Rating Marginal Rating Acceptable Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating

       

Mini

        
Mini Cooper
2002-05 models		 all seats Overall Marginal Rating Marginal Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
         

Mitisubishi

        
Mitsubishi Lancer
2002-05 models		 all seats Overall Marginal Rating Marginal Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Mitsubishi Galant
2004-05 models		 cloth seats Overall Poor Rating Poor Dynamic Rating Acceptable Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Mitsubishi Galant
2004-05 models		 leather seats Overall Poor Rating not tested
(see note)		 Marginal Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
         

Nissan

        
Nissan Altima
2005 models		 all seats mfg. after 8/2004 active head restraints Overall Acceptable Rating Acceptable Dynamic Rating Acceptable Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Nissan Sentra
2002-05 models		 base seats Overall Poor Rating not tested
(see note)		 Poor Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Nissan
2004 models		 cloth seats
active head restraints		 Poor Rating not tested
(see note)		 Poor Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Nissan Maxima
2004 models		 leather seats
active head restraints		 Overall Poor Rating not tested
(see note)		 Marginal Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
         

Pontiac

        
Pontiac Grand AM
2001-05 models		 cloth seats Overall Poor Rating not tested
(see note)		 Marginal Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Pontiac Grand Prix
2004 models		 all seats Overall Poor Rating not tested
(see note)		 Marginal Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Pontiac Bonneville
2003-05 models		 bench seats
active head restraints		 Overall Poor Rating not tested
(see note)		 Poor Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Pontiac Bonneville
2003-05 models		 leather seats
active head restraints		 Overall Poor Rating not tested
(see note)		 Marginal Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
         

SAAB

        
SAAB 9-2X
2005 models		 all seats mfg. after 9/2004 active head restraints Overall Good Rating Good Dynamic Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
SAAB 9-3
2005 models		 all seats
active head restraints		 Overall Good Rating Good Dynamic Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
SAAB 9-5
2005 models		 all seats mfg. after 9/2004 active head restraints Overall Acceptable Rating Acceptable Dynamic Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating

       

Saturn

        
Saturn ION
2003-05 models		 cloth seats Overall Poor Rating Poor Dynamic Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Saturn ION
2003-05 models		 leather seats Overall Poor Rating Poor Dynamic Rating Acceptable Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Saturn L Series
2004-05 models		 all seats Overall Poor Rating not tested
(see note)		 Poor Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
         

Subaru

        
Subaru Impreza
2005 models		 all seats mfg. after 9/2004 active head restraints Overall Good Rating Good Dynamic Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Subaru Impreza WRX
2004-05 models		 all seats Overall Marginal Rating Marginal Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Subaru Legacy
2005 models		 all seats
active head restraints		 Overall Acceptable Rating Acceptable Dynamic Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Subaru Outback
2005 models		 all seats
active head restraints		 Overall Acceptable Rating Acceptable Dynamic Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
         

Suzuki

        
Suzuki Aerio
2002-05 models		 all seats Overall Marginal Rating Marginal Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Suzuki Forenza
2004 models		 all seats Overall Poor Rating Poor Dynamic Rating Acceptable Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Suzuki Verona
2004-05 models		 all seats Overall Poor Rating Poor Dynamic Rating Acceptable Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
         

Toyota

        
Toyota Corolla
2003-04 models		 all seats Overall Acceptable Rating Good Dynamic Rating Acceptable Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Toyota Corolla
2005 models		 all seats Overall Poor Rating Poor Dynamic Rating Acceptable Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Toyota Camry
2002-04 models		 cloth seats Overall Marginal Rating Marginal Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Toyota Camry
2002-04 models		 leather seats Overall Poor Rating Poor Dynamic Rating Acceptable Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Toyota Avalon
2001-04 models		 all seats Overall Poor Rating Poor Dynamic Rating Acceptable Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating

       

Volkswagen

        
Volkswagen New Beetle
2004-05 models		 seats without adjustable lumbar active head restraints Overall Acceptable Rating Acceptable Dynamic Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Volkswagen New Beetle
2004-05 models		 seats with adjustable lumbar active head restraints Overall Good Rating Good Dynamic Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Volkswagen Passat
2001-05 models		 all seats Overall Poor Rating not tested
(see note)		 Marginal Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
         

Volvo

        
Volvo S40
2004-05 models		 all seats mfg. after 2/2004 Overall Good Rating Good Dynamic Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Volvo S60
2003-05 models		 all seats Overall Good Rating Good Dynamic Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating
Volvo S80
2003-05 models		 all seats Overall Good Rating Good Dynamic Rating Good Geometry of Seat/Head Restraint Rating

For each seat/head restraint, REAR-END CRASH PROTECTION is an assessment of occupant protection against neck injury in rear impacts at low to moderate speeds. Although such injuries usually aren't serious, they occur frequently.

The OVERALL RATINGS are based on a two-step evaluation. In the first step the geometry (distance behind and below the head of a seated average-sized man) is rated good, acceptable, marginal, or poor. Seats with good or acceptable geometry then are subjected to a dynamic test simulating the forces in a stationary vehicle that's rear-ended by another vehicle of the same weight going 20 mph. Seat/head restraints with marginal or poor geometry aren't tested dynamically because they cannot protect taller people in rear-end crashes. These seats are rated poor overall.

In the dynamic test, measurements are recorded on a dummy (BioRID) representing an average-size man. BioRID is designed specifically for rear-end testing at low to moderate speeds. The DYNAMIC RATINGS are derived from two seat design parameters (acceleration of the dummy's torso and time from impact initiation to head restraint contact with the dummy's head) plus tension and shear forces recorded on the dummy's neck. Overall ratings are based on both geometric measurements and dynamic results.