Supposedly, from what I've read the wagons handle rear impacts differently than the sedans. The trunk on the sedan is designed to crumple while the wagon is more rigid and designed to deflect much of the impact down the sides and the roof of the car. I believe Volvo designed the hatch to be an occupant area, not a crumple zone like the sedan. The third row seats are actually supposed to be pretty safe because the speeds in a rear-end collision are usually lower (other driver is probably hard on the brakes immediately before impact, etc.) and both cars are moving in basically the same direction in a rear-end crash. Sitting in the third row seat also puts the occupant between the rear axle which helps protect in the event of a side impact. Anyway, that's what I've read and I hope I never find out how safe my car really is!