Minivans are a very typical family vehicle. Therefore, because kids are certainly involved, prospective buyers are more concerned here in regards to safety than perhaps anything else. And rightfully so. With several minivans on the market, many of which come from known and reliable Japanese automakers, people may have a hard time choosing. Well, maybe not now after hearing about the latest safety crash test results performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

It recently completed its small overlap front crash tests on four popular minivans: the Toyota Sienna, Nissan Quest, Chrysler Town & Country and its twin, the Dodge Grand Caravan. Only one passed, and it earned just an "acceptable" rating. The Quest and Chrysler twins earned "poor" ratings.

Only the Honda Odyssey, tested last year, earned a "good" rating. According to the IIHS, the driver of the Quest would be lucky to walk normally ever again. The Chrysler van drivers fared even worse. Basically, in the event of a tree or utility pole collision, the crash forces bypass the minivan's main energy absorbing structure.