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Small cars see marked improvement in crash safety
Dec.17.08
Source:leftlanenews

More and more Americans are trading in their large SUVs after feeling the sting of $4 gas, but some are still reluctant to hand over the keys to their heavy rides on the account that they feel safer behind the wheel of a large vehicle rather than a small econ box. However, a new study reveals that most small cars are safer than most people give them credit for.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety just concluded another round of safety testing, this time focusing on small vehicles. Although the cars tested were light on pounds, the findings prove that even small cars can be safe.

The Suzuki SX4 and Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix proved to be the best performing of the bunch, although both models fell just short of the IIHS’ highest ‘Top Safety Pick’. Both cars earned ratings of ‘Good’ in front and side impacts, but the SX4 could only muster a ‘Marginal’ in whiplash protection. The Vibe/Matrix was not tested for whiplash safety. A vehicle must earn a ‘Good’ rating in all three tests to receive the IIHS’s Top Safety Picks.

The Ford Focus and Chevrolet HHR also fared well in testing, although neither performed quite as well as the SX4 or Vibe/Matrix.

Not surprisingly, the archaic Chrysler PT Cruiser was the worst model tested, earning a rating of ‘Poor’ in two of the three test. To the PT’s credit, it did earn a rating of ‘Good’ in frontal crash testing.

Overall, small cars are making vast safety improvements, thanks to increased efforts by the automakers. “Automakers have made big improvements to small cars to better protect people in frontal crashes,” said Joe Nolan, an Institute senior vice president. “They’ve also added stronger structures and standard head-protecting side air bags to help in side crashes, which are tougher on smaller, lighter cars.”