How Safe Is A Galaxy In A Rear End Collision/shunt.

[sainot]

Hi I was wondering how safe a Galaxy is in the event of a car hitting me at speed from behind. The reason I ask I my kids like to use the two seats right at the back of our Galaxy. Does anyone know and details / experiences. Edited August 3, 2009 by sainot

[big_kev]

In comparison to most cars the Galaxy is quite sturdy.

In the tests it done very well at side impacts and less well at frontal.

 

Basically its much safer in the rear than in the front.

 

They are much safer than they would be in a smaller vehicle.

 

Also rear end collisions at speed are very rare.

[seatkid]

I disagree, all MPVs are weak at the back compared to hatchbacks and particularly saloons. The lack of distance (no boot space) being the reason. Fortunately rear high speed shunts are rare, though those on the motorway are usually fatal for most car types. IIRC there was a crash in the news recently involving a Shalaxy on the motorway and unfortunately there were fatalities.

 

Unless I'm mistaken, there is no crash bar in the tailgate as there are in the doors.

 

IIRC On a more positive note, recent testing by Thatcham? for the insurance companies, shows the rear bumper performance of a Shalaxy to be a lot better than other cars (wrong info its Smax not Shalaxy)....... - for instance did you know there is no real bumper bar under the rear plastic bumper of a Nissan Qashqai!!!!

 

If concerned, clean that cheese out of the a/c unit and maybe the kids will sit in the middle row. B)

Edited August 4, 2009 by seatkid

[seatkid]

Rear Bumper report by Thatcham Edited August 4, 2009 by seatkid

[big_kev]

I disagree,

 

Feel free ;)

[smitch]

For my sins, I police the section of M4 where it joins the M25 and all I do is deal with rear end shunts caused by queueing traffic. Unfortunately many of these are at a reasonable to high speed.

 

I personally wouldn't let my kids sit in the back of my gal if I could avoid it and that is why I changed from a Zafira so they could all go in the middle.

 

I agree with Seatkid that any car would struggle in a high speed rear impact collision.

[big_kev]

For my sins, I police the section of M4 where it joins the M25 and all I do is deal with rear end shunts caused by queueing traffic. Unfortunately many of these are at a reasonable to high speed.

 

I personally wouldn't let my kids sit in the back of my gal if I could avoid it and that is why I changed from a Zafira so they could all go in the middle.

 

I agree with Seatkid that any car would struggle in a high speed rear impact collision.

 

Smitch, thanks for the advice, I suppose you get a different perspective on this when you see it everyday (and the after effects ).

 

After reading this I would now change my mind and say stick them in the middle.

[smitch]

No problem Big Kev. If it stops one family from having the worst day of their lives, job's a good 'un.

[sainot]

There are some crash test videos on you tube if anyone is interested. Just type in 'Galaxy Crash Test' in the search engine on YouTube.

 

I note from the Thatcham report in the post above the S-MAx is the only car with a 'Good' ratring for the rear end bumper.

[sainot]

For my sins, I police the section of M4 where it joins the M25 and all I do is deal with rear end shunts caused by queueing traffic. Unfortunately many of these are at a reasonable to high speed.

 

I personally wouldn't let my kids sit in the back of my gal if I could avoid it and that is why I changed from a Zafira so they could all go in the middle.

 

I agree with Seatkid that any car would struggle in a high speed rear impact collision.

 

Smitch, as a police highway patrol officer, do you come accross many spare wheels that have come off vehicles on the motorway. Any stories appreciated.

[smitch]

Sainot, not really, the most common tyre debris is from blown lorry tyres. However, I have never really been a fan of the externally mounted spare. There's no protection for the tyre and wheel and its is easily stolen.

[gregers]

i must admit that was 1 of the main reasons i got rid of my zafira,i was always thinking the worst when they were in the back the seats are far to close to the rear door.

[GrannyPower]

Speaking from my recent experience of someone driving into the back of my Galaxy at about 30mph, I would say that they are pretty strong.

 

 

Mine only needed a rear bumper, parking sensors, light and and a spare wheel winch assembly.

 

Chris.

Edited August 9, 2009 by GrannyPower

[big_kev]

Speaking from my recent experience of someone driving into the back of my Galaxy at about 30mph, I would say that they are pretty strong.

 

 

Mine only needed a rear bumper, parking sensors, light and and a spare wheel winch assembly.

 

Chris.

 

 

What the hell is that......seen bigger kids toys !

[GrannyPower]

It used to be a Daewoo Matiz.

[seatkid]

It used to be a Daewoo Matiz.

It was OK for the Galaxy because of the height of the dinky toy that hit it. The bumper beam in the Galaxy did its job. It would be a different story if a large 4x4 or HGV were to ram you.

[GrannyPower]

I totally agree.

 

I would not fancy anything hitting the car higher up as the only protection would be the boot lid.

[BLUELIGHT]

Hi I was wondering how safe a Galaxy is in the event of a car hitting me at speed from behind. The reason I ask I my kids like to use the two seats right at the back of our Galaxy. Does anyone know and details / experiences.

Hi, first of all pleased to meet you all, this is my first post.

Well I only got my Galaxy Di four days ago so I am looking all over and reading everything at the moment about the car, so reading this section about the safety aspect of the back end shunt in this type of unit.

A Tow bar is in my opinion the way to beef the back end up, If you don

[BLUELIGHT]

Hi I was wondering how safe a Galaxy is in the event of a car hitting me at speed from behind. The reason I ask I my kids like to use the two seats right at the back of our Galaxy. Does anyone know and details / experiences.

Edited August 15, 2009 by BLUELIGHT