Head rests

[pinhead999]

What does everyone think about Consumer Report's head rest rating? The 4Runner did poorly in a 20mph rear crash.

It's my belief that most people do not raise the head rest enough to protect their heads.

 

[toto]

I'd agree with that... most headrests (or more accurately, head restratints) I've seen are not adjusted properly. The back seat is worse than the front, as people either leave them all the way down or remove them. Once you're rear-ended, your impression of headrests changes. They really are functional. A poorly-adjusted one can do more harm - if it's sitting at neck level, it will encourage your neck to bend as your head flies backwards. It should be adjusted such that a substantial portion of the headrest is behind your ears.

The tests assume that the headrest is set for the correct height. What they're testing is how far your head still moves back before it hits the headrest. The industry has become more critical of that distance, because the greater it is means your back is bending more. Not only is your head is moving backward when you get hit from behind, but your torso is also being slammed into the back of the seat.

Active head restraints try to detect this sort of sudden movement in the seat, using hinges or levers to push the headrest forward when force is applied to the back of the seat by your body.

 

[pinhead999]

Head Rests

My wife drives a 2002 VW Passat that has head rests that go forward and back. You can decrease the amount of space between your head and the head rest.

 

[pipspeak]

I was dissapponted that the 4runner headrests don't tilt forwards and backwards. However they're adjusted, my head is a good 3-4 inches from the rest, which ain't good.

I also miss being able to actually rest my head against something when driving without staring at the roof.

Makes me wonder... is there such a thing as an aftermarket headrest we could buy?

 

[Uneek]

I was dissapponted that the 4runner headrests don't tilt forwards and backwards.

Mine doesn't really tilt, but it pivots, almost as if the headrests rotate along an axis near the top. When adjusted the back of the headrests can be near vertical or be slanted forward (bottom of the headrest sticks out towards the rear seats).

 

[pipspeak]

Mine doesn't really tilt, but it pivots, almost as if the headrests rotate along an axis near the top. When adjusted the back of the headrests can be near vertical or be slanted forward (bottom of the headrest sticks out towards the rear seats).

Right, I'm off to try manhandling mine into a better position... last time I tried, however, it didn't budge an inch. Perhaps the Limited has better headrests than the SE?

 

[davemac]

my 07 ltd headrests also "pivot"

 

[toto]

This is from the 2006 Owners Manual. It appears to apply to all models, so all of the front headrests should pivot as described above. I don't know which model year this started in.

 

[tomhaney1]

Pretty sure mine pivot in my 05 SE...

 

[pipspeak]

OK, mine pivot but it turns out that the furthest forward they pivot is still not far enough for me. Guess I'll fiddle around with the seat position a bit more.

 

[My1stT4R]

Hello,

It seems Toyota has listened to the IIHS. According to an ARTICLE on the autochannel.com website, Toyota has developed an advanced head restraint to help reduce intensity of whiplash injuries. TMC plans to introduce the head restraint shortly, starting with new vehicle models.

 

[toto]

Yes, the 2008 Highlander will have those active head restraints.

 

[snap315]

I have found that my 4Runner has the best seats and headrests of any vehicle I've owned.



I can rest my head against the headrest without to much strain.

Of course, I'm pretty tall (6'1") and have my seat reclined slightly more than some might.

 

[Uneek]

I have found that my 4Runner has the best seats and headrests of any vehicle I've owned.



I can rest my head against the headrest without to much strain.

Of course, I'm pretty tall (6'1") and have my seat reclined slightly more than some might.

I'm at the same height. During lunch, the 4Runner is the only vehicle that I can easily fall asleep and take an nap in. That's got to be a testament to how comfy the seats are.

 

[Paul2660]

I think that the issue that Consumer Reports was alluding to was that the stock head rests don't have any design to assist in assisting to resistance to whiplash.

The article pointed to many car/SUV designs that have some form of active headrest that moves when you are hit from behind at a certain speed. Volvo's entire seat moves to assist in decompression from whiplash.

The Toyota head rest is pretty basic, and does none of this. Sure it's still better than having nothing at all. Toyota IMO is lacking on this and not having side impact air bags standard on all 4Runners. When I was looking for mine, there was only one on the entire lot that had the side impact air bags and it was fully loaded. Most competitors offer this option standard now.

I am 6-2 and have owned 3 different Toyota SUV's. On all of them I have had to make an adjustment mark to allow the headrest to lock in higher than the stock settings. This includes my 06 4Runner.

I also wanted to offer feedback on comfort. I would also say that at 6-2 I couldn't nap in my seat as I have found the 4runner seat the most uncomfortable I have been in. I have the sunroof and it just doesn't give you enough head room unless like previously posted, you recline the seat back considerably. If I get in a 4Runner without the sunroof, this is not a problem, it's tight, but I have room.

Paul C