Rear airbags
SécuritéAverage price
300€ - 800€
Rear airbags are passive safety devices designed to protect rear-seat occupants in the event of a collision. Complementing front airbags, they deploy in milliseconds to cushion the impact and reduce the risk of serious injury. There are two main types of rear airbags: side airbags and curtain airbags. Side airbags, often integrated into the seatbacks or door panels, protect passengers' thoraxes and pelvises against side impacts. Curtain airbags, on the other hand, deploy from the vehicle's headliner along the side windows to protect the heads of front and rear passengers from impacts with the windows or external objects. Long restricted to high-end vehicles, rear airbags are becoming more mainstream and are increasingly offered, either as standard or optional equipment, in more generalist segments. Their presence is a criterion increasingly scrutinized by crash-test organizations such as Euro NCAP, as they significantly contribute to improving a vehicle's overall safety rating, particularly for the protection of adults and children seated in the rear.
Benefits
- ✓Increased protection for rear-seat passengers in the event of a side impact.
- ✓Significant reduction in the risk of serious head and thorax injuries.
- ✓Improvement in the vehicle's overall safety score during crash tests.
- ✓Enhanced safety for children seated in rear child car seats.
Learn more
Rear airbags: a vital shield for passengers
While front airbags are a given in modern automobiles, the protection of passengers seated in the rear has long been the poor relation of passive safety. Fortunately, mindsets and technologies have evolved, giving rise to rear airbags. These inflatable cushions, although less visible, play an equally crucial role in the event of an accident, particularly during side impacts, which are among the most dangerous.
How do rear airbags work?
The principle of rear airbags is similar to that of front airbags. Sensors (accelerometers) distributed throughout the vehicle detect the severity and direction of an impact. If the deceleration exceeds a predefined threshold, the computer sends an electrical signal to a pyrotechnic detonator. This triggers a chemical reaction that produces a large amount of gas (usually nitrogen) in a fraction of a second, instantly inflating the cushion. The whole process takes about 20 to 40 milliseconds. The airbag then rapidly deflates to allow occupants to exit the vehicle.
The different types of airbags for rear seats
Rear protection is generally ensured by a combination of several types of airbags:
- Side airbags (thorax): Integrated either into the outer side of the rear seatbacks or into the door panels, they deploy between the passenger and the door to protect the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis.
- Curtain airbags: This is a long cushion that deploys from the headliner, above the windows, along the entire length of the cabin. It protects the heads of both front and rear passengers by preventing them from striking the glass or external elements during a side impact or rollover. This is the most widespread type of rear airbag.
- Seatbelt airbags: A more recent innovation seen on certain high-end models. The airbag is integrated directly into the seatbelt strap and inflates to better distribute impact forces across the passenger's torso.
What are the concrete benefits of rear airbags?
The addition of dedicated rear airbags represents a significant leap forward for the safety of all occupants. Their benefits are multiple:
- Targeted protection in the event of a side impact: They create an essential barrier where the bodywork offers the least structural protection.
- Drastic reduction of injuries: Studies and crash tests, particularly those conducted by the Euro NCAP organization, demonstrate a significant decrease in the risk of head and chest trauma for rear passengers.
- Enhanced safety for children: They complement the action of child seats and ISOFIX anchors by protecting the heads of children that might extend beyond the side protection of their seat.
- Vehicle valuation: A vehicle equipped with a comprehensive safety pack including rear airbags achieves better safety test ratings, which can be a compelling argument at resale.
As standard or optional: how to get them?
On most vehicles in the premium segment (Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Volvo), curtain airbags are now standard equipment. Rear side airbags, however, often remain an option, even on these models. On more mainstream segments (Peugeot, Renault, Volkswagen), curtain airbags are increasingly common on higher trim levels, while rear side airbags are almost systematically offered as an option, either alone or as part of a "Safety Pack". The cost of this option generally varies between €300 and €800, a modest investment considering the gain in peace of mind and protection for your loved ones.
In conclusion, when purchasing a new or used vehicle, it is essential to check for the presence of rear airbags. Far from being a gadget, this equipment is a fundamental element of passive safety that can make all the difference in the event of an accident.
Associated equipment
Curtain airbags
Curtain airbags, also known as 'curtain airbags' or Inflatable Tubular Structure (ITS), are essential passive safety devices in modern vehicles. Integrated into the headliner (roof lining) above the side windows, they deploy vertically downwards, like a curtain, in the event of a severe side impact or rollover. Their primary objective is to protect the heads of occupants, whether seated in the front or the rear, by creating a protective cushion between their heads and hard interior surfaces, such as windows, door pillars (B-pillar, C-pillar), or external objects. Unlike front or side airbags (which protect the thorax), curtain airbags remain inflated longer (several seconds) to provide continuous protection during multiple impacts or rollovers, and to prevent passenger ejection. Triggered by lateral acceleration sensors and gyroscopes, they are an integral part of the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) and are a major criterion in safety assessments such as Euro NCAP. Today, they are virtually standard on new cars sold on the French market.
Safety Pack
The Safety Pack is a bundle of driver-assistance equipment and technologies (ADAS - Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems) grouped together by car manufacturers to improve a vehicle's active and passive safety. Rather than offering these options individually, brands market them as a package, often at a more attractive price. The main objective is to prevent accidents by assisting the driver in critical situations and to reduce the severity of collisions when they are unavoidable. A typical Safety Pack includes features such as automatic emergency braking, which can detect pedestrians and cyclists, lane departure warning with lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The content and naming of these packs vary considerably from one manufacturer to another (e.g., Drive Assist Pack, Safety Plus Pack, etc.), but their purpose remains the same: to offer a higher level of protection for the driver, passengers, and other road users. These systems rely on a combination of sensors, radars, and cameras to continuously analyze the vehicle's surroundings and anticipate potential hazards.
ISOFIX anchorages
The ISOFIX (International Standards Organisation FIX) attachment system is an international standard (ISO 13216) that revolutionizes child safety in cars. It was designed to standardize and simplify the installation of child car seats, eliminating the frequent risks of incorrect installation associated with using the seat belt. The principle is simple and robust: two metal rings are securely anchored to the vehicle's structure, generally between the seat cushion and backrest of the rear seats. The compatible child seat is equipped with two rigid latches that lock onto these anchorage points. An audible click and a visual indicator (changing from red to green) confirm that the installation is correct and secure. To counteract rotational forces during an impact, a third anchorage point is essential. This can be a top tether strap, which attaches behind the seat, or a support leg that rests on the floor. By making the car seat integral with the chassis, ISOFIX guarantees a rigid and stable connection, significantly reducing the movement of the child's head and body in the event of a collision, thereby offering an optimal level of protection. Since 2011, all new vehicles in Europe must be equipped with these anchorage points.
Seatbelts with pretensioners
Seatbelts with pretensioners are a pillar of modern passive safety, acting as the first link in the protection chain in the event of a collision. This intelligent device does not simply restrain the occupant; it positions them optimally even before the peak of the impact. As soon as sudden deceleration is detected by the vehicle's sensors, the electronic control unit (ECU) sends a signal that triggers, within milliseconds, a pyrotechnic or mechanical mechanism. The latter powerfully retracts the seatbelt webbing, eliminating all slack and firmly pressing the occupant against the seat backrest. This preventive action is crucial: it ensures that the body is in the ideal position to benefit from the maximum effectiveness of the airbag, which deploys immediately afterwards. The pretensioner works in perfect synergy with the load limiter, which then slightly releases the tension to cushion the pressure on the chest and prevent injuries. Integrated into the retractor or the buckle, this system is now an essential standard equipment on all new vehicles, playing a decisive role in reducing the severity of injuries.
Side airbags
Side airbags are an essential passive safety feature in modern automobiles, belonging to the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). Their mission is to protect occupants in the event of a side collision, one of the most dangerous situations. There are two main types: the thorax airbag, generally integrated into the side of the seat backrest, and the curtain airbag, housed in the vehicle's headliner above the windows. During a side impact, pressure sensors and accelerometers send information to the Electronic Control Unit (ECU). Within milliseconds, if the impact is deemed severe, the ECU triggers deployment. The thorax airbag forms a protective barrier for the torso, abdomen, and pelvis. Simultaneously or independently, the curtain airbag deploys like a curtain along the windows, protecting the heads of front and rear passengers against impact with the glass, door pillar, or external objects. This technology has drastically reduced the severity of head and chest injuries, contributing significantly to achieving high crash-test ratings, notably those of Euro NCAP.