Abstract: A passenger vehicle is disclosed having a vehicle body with a first pillar extending upward from a lateral side of the body. A side member extends along the body and a second pillar extends upward and rearward from the side member. The second pillar has a lower end affixed to the side member between a front seating row and a rear seating row of the vehicle. An upper end of the second pillar is displaced adjacent to the rear seating row of the vehicle, and is spaced apart from the front seating row of the vehicle. The orientation of the second pillar maximizes impact strength, rear occupant ingress and egress between the pillars and a lateral range of vision for the driver.