Are side swinging rear doors found on some SUV's dangerous?

Question

I'm thinking about getting a Rav 4, but the major thing that scares me is the side swinging rear door. As an example, let's say you've just bought a ton of groceries at the supermarket and are loading your groceries into the back of the truck with the rear side swinging door swung out 90 degrees...all of a sudden, some idiot driver is not paying attention and slams into your back door (while you're still loading your groceries). In theory, that back door is going to slam into you and snap you in half!!! Am I missing something? Isn't this a fatal design flaw??? I like the Rav 4, but I can't get over the thought of someone hitting the swing out rear door while I'm loading. Am I missing something?

Answer 1

That's why they call them suicide doors,a bad design.

Answer 2

If another driver drives close enough to the back of your car to hit your open rear door while you're unloading groceries, odds are he's going to hit the shopping cart and you anyway.  I think you're worrying needlessly.

Answer 3

You are missing the fact that while this design might work for 50% of the people interested in this type of vehicle... it also is not going to work for the other 50%... which includes you.

Purchase something that does fit your needs...  There are a lot of models on the road that are comparable to the Rav4, but have a different designed door.  Why worry about something that you haven't purchased????

Instead of looking at the negitive side... find something that does fit your needs and look a the positive.    Your glass is half empty....   Not half full....