Better engineering has made the front seat much safer in head-on collisions. But the back seat hasn't kept pace. It's a problem one vehicle safety group is trying to solve.

The IIHS' new rear impact test exposes weaknesses in vehicle safety designs, with only four models earning a 'Good' rating.

On shelves at a Humanetics facility in Huron, Ohio, skulls stare from their eyeless sockets, shiny and silver. Around a corner, a rack is filled with squishy, peach-toned arms, legs, torsos and butts.

The new Consumer Reports safety verdict highlights the safest new cars and gives you an easy way to know which vehicles will protect you best.