Rear Impact (Whiplash)Whiplash injuries are common in rear impacts. While the mechanisms by which the injuries are caused are not fully understood, it is known that seat and head restraint design can influence the risk of injury. Euro NCAP assesses the geometry of the restraint in relation to the head and tests the seats in three severities of impact – high, medium and low – using a dummy specially designed for rear impacts. Seats at the top of the table are likely to offer better protection than those at the bottom.
Examples of seats rated Good, Marginal and Poor
Films | Pictures
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| Make and model | Seat description | Head restraint type | | Score |
|---|
 |
Volvo XC60 (2008) |
Single control manual, continuous adjustment. |
Passive |
 |
3.5 |
 |
Alfa Romeo MiTo (2008) |
Single control manual, continuous adjustment |
Reactive |
|
3.3 |
 |
Toyota Avensis (2009) |
Standard, cloth trim |
Reactive |
|
3.3 |
 |
VW Golf (2008) |
Single control manual, continuous adjustment. |
Passive |
|
3.3 |
 |
AUDI Q5 (2009) |
Single control manual, continuous adjustment |
Passive |
|
3.3 |
 |
Kia Soul (2009) |
Single control manual, continuous adjustment |
Passive |
|
3.3 |
| |
Audi A4 (2008) |
Single control manual, continuous adjustment. |
Passive |
|
3.2 |
 |
Opel/Vauxhall Insignia (2008) |
Single control electric, continuous adjustment |
Reactive |
|
3.1 |
| |
VW TIGUAN (2009) |
Single control manual, continuous adjustment |
Passive |
|
3.0 |
 |
Renault Koleos (2008) |
Single control manual, continuous adjustment |
Passive |
 |
2.9 |
 |
Honda Jazz (2009) |
Single control manual, continuous adjustment |
Passive |
|
2.8 |
 |
Hyundai i20 (2009) |
Single control manual, continuous adjustment |
Passive |
|
2.7 |
| |
Toyota iQ (2009) |
Standard, cloth trim |
Passive |
|
2.7 |
 |
Lancia Delta (2008) |
Single control manual, continuous adjustment |
Reactive |
|
2.6 |
 |
Subaru Impreza (2009) |
Standard, cloth trim |
Passive |
|
2.5 |
 |
BMW X3 (2008) |
Single control manual, continuous adjustment. |
Proactive |
|
2.4 |
| |
Renault Kangoo (2008) |
Single control manual, continuous adjustment. |
Passive |
|
2.4 |
| |
Renault Megane (2008) |
Single control manual, continuous adjustment. |
Passive |
|
2.4 |
| |
HONDA CIVIC (2007) |
Standard seat, cloth, 4 way manual |
Reactive |
|
2.3 |
| |
Honda Accord (2008) |
Single control manual, continuous adjustment. |
Reactive |
|
2.3 |
 |
Suzuki Alto (2009) |
Standard, no adjustment |
Fixed, passive |
|
2.3 |
 |
Skoda Superb (2008) |
Single control manual, continuous adjustment |
Passive |
|
2.2 |
| |
Hyundai i30 (2008) |
Single control manual, continuous adjustment |
Reactive |
|
2.2 |
 |
Ford Fiesta (2008) |
Single control manual, continuous adjustment |
Passive |
|
2.2 |
 |
Mazda 6 (2009) |
Standard, cloth trim |
Passive |
|
2.1 |
 |
Mitsubishi Lancer (2009) |
Standard, cloth trim |
Passive |
|
2.0 |
 |
Seat Ibiza (2008) |
Single control manual, continuous adjustment. |
Passive |
|
2.0 |
 |
Peugeot 3008 (2009) |
Single control manual, continous adjustment |
Passive |
|
1.9 |
 |
Dacia Sandero (2008) |
Single control manual, notched adjustment. |
Passive |
|
1.6 |
 |
Daihatsu Cuore (2008) |
No height adjustment. |
Passive |
 |
1.1 |
 |
Citroen Berlingo (2008) |
Single control manual, notched adjustment. |
Passive |
|
1.0 |
| |
Hyundai i10 (2008) |
No height adjustment |
Passive |
|
0.9 |
| |
Citroen C5 (2008) |
Single control manual, continuous adjustment. |
Passive |
|
0.6 |
| |
Ford Kuga (2008) |
Single control manual, continuous adjustment |
Passive |
|
0.4 |
| |
Citroen C3 Picasso (2009) |
Standard, cloth trim |
Passive |
|
0.3 |
| |
Suzuki Splash (2008) |
Single control manual, continuous adjustment |
Passive |
|
0.0 |
| |
Daihatsu Terios (2008) |
Single control manual, continuous adjustment |
Passive |
|
0.0 |
| |
Peugeot 308CC (2008) |
Single control manual, continuous adjustment. |
Passive |
|
0.0 |