Ouch: Many Minivans, SUVs, CUVs And Pickups Have Lousy Headrests - Jalopnik Comments

Ouch: Many Minivans, SUVs, CUVs And Pickups Have Lousy Headrests

TrackpediaCow — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 12:05:30 EDT

adidascrosscountry: You're right, Volvo makes great headrests, and they somehow manage to fit short and tall people while having ZERO adjustment. (I'm 6'5" and they work fine for me - they also fit fine for 5'1" ladies I've had in my S60)

TrackpediaCow

Ouch: Many Minivans, SUVs, CUVs And Pickups Have Lousy Headrests

my favorite car is a motorcycle — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 05:13:18 EDT

Finally! Its refreshing to know that the idea that "heavier = safer" can only be true if your neck isn't snapped by the crappy seats in large vehicles. If you want a safest car on the road, you get a McLaren F1. (seriously, did anyone see the UK impact test on it? They crashed one into a concrete barrier and then drove it onto a trailer to take it home. It was the only car in the history of the test to drive away...)

my favorite car is a motorcycle

Ouch: Many Minivans, SUVs, CUVs And Pickups Have Lousy Headrests

adidascrosscountry — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 13:32:29 EDT

Evidently Toyota didn't entirely screw up the Tundra. You'll just have to select to be rear-ended versus hitting anything in front of you.

There are so many ajustments for most headrests, that I'm not sure that even the ones ranked highly in this test matters much in real life. I think the best head restraints are those found in Volvo... not very ajustable at all. Just a big padded block behind your head that moves forward in an accident to protect your head.

adidascrosscountry

Ouch: Many Minivans, SUVs, CUVs And Pickups Have Lousy Headrests

HDC — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 11:46:39 EDT

When I was car shopping a few years back, I was looking at the then new design Nissan Pathy. One of the nifty safety features on it was active head restraints, a feature I haven't seen much of. Maybe this study will help alleviate that.

HDC

Ouch: Many Minivans, SUVs, CUVs And Pickups Have Lousy Headrests

superbmtsub — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 11:15:24 EDT

The irony is the Tundra did well this time while it's competition fared poorly.

superbmtsub

Ouch: Many Minivans, SUVs, CUVs And Pickups Have Lousy Headrests

abgwin — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 10:58:34 EDT

Wow, I'm quite sure GM is going to rush out and re-engineer the headrest in the Upchucker/Terrapin/Relay. It's not like anyone is in danger, unless their GM car is in the shop and they have to use the dealer's shuttle - they're the only people on the planet driving one.

If this was about the Lambda's or something for sale NOW, I might care.

Why aren't these tests done when a vehicle ENTERS the market, not EXITS?

abgwin

Ouch: Many Minivans, SUVs, CUVs And Pickups Have Lousy Headrests

mcshnobe — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 09:36:18 EDT

@ Turboner - In all seriousness, headrests should be well engineered by now. For shame.

Take a look at how the IIHS rates head restraints. If it is adjustable, it is knocked down a rating level. IIHS assumes people are too stupid (probaby not a bad assumption) to adjust their head restraints properly. This would be fine and dandy if we were all the same height....

mcshnobe

Ouch: Many Minivans, SUVs, CUVs And Pickups Have Lousy Headrests

Turboner — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 08:19:21 EDT

What, do we need HANS devices to replace driving skill? Remember the good ol' days of 20+MPH collisions riding on a front bench seat, with no headrest or crumple zones? That shit would teach you to check yo' mirrahs, foo! Protect ya neck!

In all seriousness, headrests should be well engineered by now. For shame.

Turboner