True 5 seaters: Affordable cars with five 3-point seatbelts & headrests

GeeTee TSI · 28th December 2018, 18:16

While cars flaunt gadgets and convenience features, a glaring absence noticed in most affordable cars is a proper headrest and 3-point seatbelt for the rear middle passenger. I can clearly see in Indian versions of global cars (my Polo for eg) that the first swap is the 3-point seatbelt with a lap belt and out goes the headrest

The fact that sunroof and larger touchscreens are finding their way into cheaper cars is cringeworthy when OEMs don't care for the 5th passenger. I think OEMs should be shamed and flayed on TeamBHP reviews, if ignoring safety of the middle passenger.

Incidentally, I noticed the Toyota Etios cab I was travelling in equipped thus.

True 5 seaters: Affordable cars with five 3-point seatbelts & headrests-img_20181225_150146.jpg

Is this the cheapest car to have safety considerations for the 5th passenger?
Which other cars this side of 20L don't discriminate against the 5th passenger?
Shouldn't regulation declare the permitted passenger capacity on the basis of the number of 3-point seatbelts and headrests?

GTO · 29th December 2018, 07:13

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Safety Section. Thanks for sharing!

SmartCat · 29th December 2018, 08:39

In manufacturers' defense, they try to make the 5th adult passenger as uncomfortable as possible - rock hard backrest, odd contouring for buttocks and no room for resting legs. Next time, the 5th passenger would rather walk or take a bus.

I have seen some other cars with either 5th passenger headrest or 3 seat point seatbelts, but rarely both.

Renault Duster (5th passenger headrest)

True 5 seaters: Affordable cars with five 3-point seatbelts & headrests-renaultduster25.jpg

Chevrolet Optra (notice the 3 point seatbelt for 5th passenger on left hand corner, but no headrest)

True 5 seaters: Affordable cars with five 3-point seatbelts & headrests-dsc01909.jpg

Mahindra XUV 500: (5th passenger headrest)

True 5 seaters: Affordable cars with five 3-point seatbelts & headrests-mahindraxuv5oo25.jpg

Toyota Innova Crysta has 2nd/3rd row headrests for the middle passenger I think. Including a 3 point seatbelt.

libranof1987 · 29th December 2018, 09:10

The problem is: we also want a rear arm-rest, and the driver should have a good view of the back from the IRVM.

Very few cars can seat three adults comfortably at the rear so the lack of a middle head-rest doesn't bother me as much as having a proper three-point seatbelt. The lack of it is a serious sore thumb in most cars today; almost all budget cars.

Years ago, I'd created this thread. No luck till date.

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/road-...ml#post2666101 (Converting a Lap-belt to a *safer* 3-point Seatbelt?)

Sheel · 29th December 2018, 09:49

Please someone post the 5th passenger seat of the Ford Endeavor, the contours/shape in seat is simply unworthy for a 5th passenger and a big SUV.

wrongturn · 29th December 2018, 11:38

Mahindra Verito/ Vibe (Renault Logan) is also a true 5 seater, and there is a lap belt for the 5th passenger as well. Since Renault Duster and Lodgy is based on the same platform, they must be similar in seating and seatbelt arrangements.

Mahindra Verito/ Vibe

True 5 seaters: Affordable cars with five 3-point seatbelts & headrests-images-85.jpeg

Renault Duster (fixed headrest + lapbelt))

True 5 seaters: Affordable cars with five 3-point seatbelts & headrests-arabduster_top_side_cut_shot_changes_02.jpg.ximg.l_full_m.smart.jpg

Renault Lodgy (no headrest but lapbelt present)

True 5 seaters: Affordable cars with five 3-point seatbelts & headrests-images-86.jpeg

I assume the lap belt for the middle seat is present in most cars, headrest is usually missing. Maybe it's done to provide a clear view of the rear while viewing the rear view mirror, as the middle headrest would protrude quite a bit and obstruct the view and then there is cost cutting as well.

GeeTee TSI · 29th December 2018, 12:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrongturn

Mahindra Verito/ Vibe (Renault Logan) is also a true 5 seater, and there is a lap belt for the 5th passenger as well.

A lap belt provides limited protection in a vehicular crash compared to a 3-point seatbelt and even the latter requires a headrest to minimise the whiplash associated with a crash. Hence the term 'true' 5 seater in this thread's context should be reserved for only for those providing both.

A well designed retracting middle headrest should address the visibility concern.

speedmiester · 30th December 2018, 08:17

Glad you brought it up.
I was as surprised as you when I saw the 3 point belt in an Etios when I took a cab to the airport.
There are very few cars who offer this in Indian market.

PrideRed · 19th January 2019, 12:30

Innova Crysta is a rare car that comes with proper adjustable headrests and 3 point seatbelts for all (be it 7 or 8 seater) passenger.

On a different note was at Toyota showroom today and there was big banner highlighting all safety features available in Toyota cars.

BoneCollector · 19th January 2019, 13:47

A good thread indeed. I've been really looking at this missing feature for a long time. A 3 point seatbelt is a must for middle passenger as he would suffer the most when it comes to a crash, upper and lower torso being thrown forward with a strong tether in middle. It'll lead to possible internal injuries to intestines, urinary bladder as well as spine. There is a thread where people have been trying to find out ways to convert a lap-belt into a 3 point seatbelt without any success. https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/road-...ml#post4188114 (Converting a Lap-belt to a *safer* 3-point Seatbelt?)

It's present in developed nations. This should be made mandatory in India also. I don't think most of the companies will offer it by themselves as a standard fitment, their excuse would be that hardly anyone uses seatbelts in rear, why provide a 3 point seatbelt to middle one? https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/road-...eat-belts.html (Over 90% rear seat passengers don't use seat belts)

vb-saan · 20th January 2019, 11:14

It's one of those strange ways that manufacturers try to do cost-cutting in India. I mean, how expensive is to provide a 3-point seatbelt for the rear middle seat? I guess none of the C-segment cars and below sold in India have this (maybe the Yaris got?). Even the Jeep Compass which costs above 25 lakhs on-road is providing a lap belt

Latheesh · 20th January 2019, 11:33

Yes, Yaris and Etios have rear center 3 point seat belt and adjustable head rest.

McLaren Rulez · 23rd January 2019, 00:00

Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe Toyota is the only mainstream manufacturer (i.e. with models in the sub 10L bracket) that equips its cars with headrests and three point seatbelts for all passengers in every single model they sell.

Well done, indeed!

pandabear · 26th February 2021, 14:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by McLaren Rulez

Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe Toyota is the only mainstream manufacturer (i.e. with models in the sub 10L bracket) that equips its cars with headrests and three point seatbelts for all passengers in every single model they sell.

Well done, indeed!

Just wondering if the Glanza has incorporated the 3 point seat belt for the middle passenger...

RavSam · 26th February 2021, 14:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by pandabear

Just wondering if the Glanza has incorporated the 3 point seat belt for the middle passenger...

This was true only till the Etios twins were there. Those twins went from having fixed headrests in the beginning to adjustable headrests for 4 in the first facelift and then later for 5 passengers in the last facelift.

The Glanza and Urban Cruiser don't come with those.

28th December 2018, 18:16	#1
GeeTee TSI Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: KA01 Posts: 1,469 Thanked: 3,324 Times View My Garage	True 5 seaters: Affordable cars with five 3-point seatbelts & headrests While cars flaunt gadgets and convenience features, a glaring absence noticed in most affordable cars is a proper headrest and 3-point seatbelt for the rear middle passenger. I can clearly see in Indian versions of global cars (my Polo for eg) that the first swap is the 3-point seatbelt with a lap belt and out goes the headrest The fact that sunroof and larger touchscreens are finding their way into cheaper cars is cringeworthy when OEMs don't care for the 5th passenger. I think OEMs should be shamed and flayed on TeamBHP reviews, if ignoring safety of the middle passenger. Incidentally, I noticed the Toyota Etios cab I was travelling in equipped thus. Is this the cheapest car to have safety considerations for the 5th passenger? Which other cars this side of 20L don't discriminate against the 5th passenger? Shouldn't regulation declare the permitted passenger capacity on the basis of the number of 3-point seatbelts and headrests?
	(14) Thanks

29th December 2018, 07:13	#2
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 71,815 Thanked: 321,355 Times View My Garage	Re: True 5 seaters: Affordable cars with five 3-point seatbelts & headrests Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Safety Section. Thanks for sharing!
	(1) Thanks

29th December 2018, 08:39	#3
SmartCat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 7,190 Thanked: 51,777 Times View My Garage	Re: True 5 seaters: Affordable cars with five 3-point seatbelts & headrests In manufacturers' defense, they try to make the 5th adult passenger as uncomfortable as possible - rock hard backrest, odd contouring for buttocks and no room for resting legs. Next time, the 5th passenger would rather walk or take a bus. I have seen some other cars with either 5th passenger headrest or 3 seat point seatbelts, but rarely both. Renault Duster (5th passenger headrest) Chevrolet Optra (notice the 3 point seatbelt for 5th passenger on left hand corner, but no headrest) Mahindra XUV 500: (5th passenger headrest) Toyota Innova Crysta has 2nd/3rd row headrests for the middle passenger I think. Including a 3 point seatbelt. Last edited by SmartCat : 29th December 2018 at 08:56.
	(7) Thanks

29th December 2018, 09:10	#4
libranof1987 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: All over! Posts: 8,176 Thanked: 20,584 Times	Re: True 5 seaters: Affordable cars with five 3-point seatbelts & headrests The problem is: we also want a rear arm-rest, and the driver should have a good view of the back from the IRVM. Very few cars can seat three adults comfortably at the rear so the lack of a middle head-rest doesn't bother me as much as having a proper three-point seatbelt. The lack of it is a serious sore thumb in most cars today; almost all budget cars. Years ago, I'd created this thread. No luck till date. https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/road-...ml#post2666101 (Converting a Lap-belt to a safer 3-point Seatbelt?)
	(3) Thanks

29th December 2018, 09:49	#5
Sheel Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Purnea (Bihar) Posts: 9,981 Thanked: 15,105 Times View My Garage	Re: True 5 seaters: Affordable cars with five 3-point seatbelts & headrests Please someone post the 5th passenger seat of the Ford Endeavor, the contours/shape in seat is simply unworthy for a 5th passenger and a big SUV.
	(2) Thanks

29th December 2018, 11:38	#6
wrongturn BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Jaipur Posts: 411 Thanked: 1,448 Times	Re: True 5 seaters: Affordable cars with five 3-point seatbelts & headrests Mahindra Verito/ Vibe (Renault Logan) is also a true 5 seater, and there is a lap belt for the 5th passenger as well. Since Renault Duster and Lodgy is based on the same platform, they must be similar in seating and seatbelt arrangements. Mahindra Verito/ Vibe Renault Duster (fixed headrest + lapbelt)) Renault Lodgy (no headrest but lapbelt present) I assume the lap belt for the middle seat is present in most cars, headrest is usually missing. Maybe it's done to provide a clear view of the rear while viewing the rear view mirror, as the middle headrest would protrude quite a bit and obstruct the view and then there is cost cutting as well. Last edited by wrongturn : 29th December 2018 at 11:49.
	(1) Thanks

30th December 2018, 08:17	#8
speedmiester Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: bangalore Posts: 2,449 Thanked: 6,977 Times	Re: True 5 seaters: Affordable cars with five 3-point seatbelts & headrests Glad you brought it up. I was as surprised as you when I saw the 3 point belt in an Etios when I took a cab to the airport. There are very few cars who offer this in Indian market.
	(1) Thanks

19th January 2019, 12:30	#9
PrideRed Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2012 Location: BLR/PTR Posts: 3,468 Thanked: 10,676 Times	Re: True 5 seaters: Affordable cars with five 3-point seatbelts & headrests Innova Crysta is a rare car that comes with proper adjustable headrests and 3 point seatbelts for all (be it 7 or 8 seater) passenger. On a different note was at Toyota showroom today and there was big banner highlighting all safety features available in Toyota cars.
	(1) Thanks

19th January 2019, 13:47	#10
BoneCollector Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: ..... Posts: 3,324 Thanked: 11,353 Times View My Garage	Re: True 5 seaters: Affordable cars with five 3-point seatbelts & headrests A good thread indeed. I've been really looking at this missing feature for a long time. A 3 point seatbelt is a must for middle passenger as he would suffer the most when it comes to a crash, upper and lower torso being thrown forward with a strong tether in middle. It'll lead to possible internal injuries to intestines, urinary bladder as well as spine. There is a thread where people have been trying to find out ways to convert a lap-belt into a 3 point seatbelt without any success. https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/road-...ml#post4188114 (Converting a Lap-belt to a safer 3-point Seatbelt?) It's present in developed nations. This should be made mandatory in India also. I don't think most of the companies will offer it by themselves as a standard fitment, their excuse would be that hardly anyone uses seatbelts in rear, why provide a 3 point seatbelt to middle one? https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/road-...eat-belts.html (Over 90% rear seat passengers don't use seat belts)
	(1) Thanks

20th January 2019, 11:14	#11
vb-saan Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: S'pore/Thrissur Posts: 7,461 Thanked: 13,323 Times	Re: True 5 seaters: Affordable cars with five 3-point seatbelts & headrests It's one of those strange ways that manufacturers try to do cost-cutting in India. I mean, how expensive is to provide a 3-point seatbelt for the rear middle seat? I guess none of the C-segment cars and below sold in India have this (maybe the Yaris got?). Even the Jeep Compass which costs above 25 lakhs on-road is providing a lap belt
	(3) Thanks

20th January 2019, 11:33	#12
Latheesh Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: CNN/BLR Posts: 4,336 Thanked: 10,625 Times	Re: True 5 seaters: Affordable cars with five 3-point seatbelts & headrests Yes, Yaris and Etios have rear center 3 point seat belt and adjustable head rest.
	(3) Thanks

23rd January 2019, 00:00	#13
McLaren Rulez Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mysore Posts: 3,462 Thanked: 5,513 Times	Re: True 5 seaters: Affordable cars with five 3-point seatbelts & headrests Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe Toyota is the only mainstream manufacturer (i.e. with models in the sub 10L bracket) that equips its cars with headrests and three point seatbelts for all passengers in every single model they sell. Well done, indeed!
	(1) Thanks