Exactly our experience and view.

It was me who made that reference to Volvo's view that a seat, although maybe not "safe", was better than loose kids, and yes, it is very old thinking. These days most people who choose Volvo also require the kids to buckle up and wouldn't even think of dumping them in the back.

I believe that the back of a Volvo is safer than the back of a minivan for several reasons, but the picture of the rear-ended V70 is scary. It appears to have been hit by a truck (or large SUV), ie hard and above the bumper. As long as oversized "utility" vehicles prowl the roads driven by non-professional drivers (and worse, with screaming kids distracting the driver!), there is no defense. Bumper height legislation will always be worked around, and even if it was made airtight, it will be a decade before the current crop of truck-based SUV's is off the road.

My anti-SUV rant for today.