Rating Categories

	Good protection from serious injury
	Acceptable protection from serious injury
	Marginal protection from serious injury
	Poor protection from serious injury

The IIHS determines whether the front-seat head restraints can be positioned behind and close enough to the back of the head to limit relative head and torso movement (whiplash) in rear-end collisions. A restraint needs to be as high as the head's center of gravity, or 7 cm (3 inches) from the top of the head. The distance from the head restraint to the back of the head should be less than 7 cm (3 inches) as well. Backsets of more than 10 centimeters (4 inches) have been associated with increased symptoms of neck injury in crashes.  Certain models offer different seating options so doublecheck the IIHS ratings if you have optional seating.

The IIHS website provides a comprehensive list of head restraint ratings for North American vehicles.  Since over 70% of the vehicles they tested got failing marks, we have decided NOT to include the ratings in our results.  However a link is provided on each page that will take you to the IIHS head restraint ratings for each manufacturer (click on the manufacturer's name under the ratings key). Suffice it to say, an overwhelming majority of the highest rated head restraint systems were only available on vehicles manufactured in Europe.  IIHS ratings are good predictors of how well people will be protected in rear-end crashes - drivers of vehicles with top-rated restraints are less likely to suffer neck injuries than those with poorly rated restraints. 

For more information about head restraints see the following 1996 NHTSA report  "Identification of Issues Relevant to Regulation, Design, and Effectiveness of Head Restraints"