ab-b IIHS tests 11 minicars, finds them wanting in small-overlap crash test
01-21-2014, 10:01 PM
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ab-b IIHS tests 11 minicars, finds them wanting in small-overlap crash test
Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Safety, Hatchback, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and its challenging small-overlap crash test have passed judgment. In testing of nearly a dozen minicars, only one vehicle scored an acceptable rating on the ultra-tough test, which was instituted in August 2012.
The Chevrolet Spark was the only car out of 11 to net an "Acceptable" rating in the small-overlap test and the only one to be named a 2014 Top Safety Pick. The IIHS has four rating levels - Poor, Marginal, Acceptable and Good.
The Mazda2, Kia Rio, Toyota Yaris and 2014 Ford Fiesta all netted "Marginal" scores on the small-overlap test, while the 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage, Nissan Versa, Toyota Prius C, Hyundai Accent, Fiat 500 and Honda Fit all netted "Poor" ratings. We've posted the full score result sheet to the right.
"Small, lightweight vehicles have an inherent safety disadvantage. That's why it's even more important to choose one with the best occupant protection," said Joe Nolan, IIHS' senior VP for vehicle research. "Unfortunately, as a group, minicars aren't performing as well as other vehicle categories in the small overlap crash."
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IIHS tests 11 minicars, finds them wanting in small-overlap crash test originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Jan 2014 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and its challenging small-overlap crash test have passed judgment. In testing of nearly a dozen minicars, only one vehicle scored an acceptable rating on the ultra-tough test, which was instituted in August 2012.The Chevrolet Spark was the only car out of 11 to net an "Acceptable" rating in the small-overlap test and the only one to be named a 2014 Top Safety Pick. The IIHS has four rating levels - Poor, Marginal, Acceptable and Good.
The Mazda2, Kia Rio, Toyota Yaris and 2014 Ford Fiesta all netted "Marginal" scores on the small-overlap test, while the 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage, Nissan Versa, Toyota Prius C, Hyundai Accent, Fiat 500 and Honda Fit all netted "Poor" ratings. We've posted the full score result sheet to the right.
"Small, lightweight vehicles have an inherent safety disadvantage. That's why it's even more important to choose one with the best occupant protection," said Joe Nolan, IIHS' senior VP for vehicle research. "Unfortunately, as a group, minicars aren't performing as well as other vehicle categories in the small overlap crash."
Scroll down for the official press release from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.Continue reading IIHS tests 11 minicars, finds them wanting in small-overlap crash test
IIHS tests 11 minicars, finds them wanting in small-overlap crash test originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Jan 2014 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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01-21-2014, 11:39 PM
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I'm surprised that the fit did poorly and the spark did well. All the rest of honda's lineup has aced the narrow overlap test. The spark platform is pretty bloody dated and the GM-Daewoo studios aren't renowned for innovating or leading the market at anything.
What they say about small cars being dangerous is true. Look at a moderate offset crash between a yaris and a camry:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcTf78b8WfY
Small cars need all the help that they can get.
What they say about small cars being dangerous is true. Look at a moderate offset crash between a yaris and a camry:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcTf78b8WfY
Small cars need all the help that they can get.
01-23-2014, 04:05 AM
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There are two factors working against small cars. The first is incompatibilty: the structure of a small car is lower than the structure of an suv. That's why new cars have such high belt lines and their arses poking up in the air.
Tthe second reason is just mass. The heavy camry decelerates a bit, whildt the light yaris decelerates all the way to a stop, then accelerates backwards!
None of this matters in single vehicle crashes though, then it's really dependent on the car itself. That's why big, primitive suvs are still fairly unsafe.
Tthe second reason is just mass. The heavy camry decelerates a bit, whildt the light yaris decelerates all the way to a stop, then accelerates backwards!
None of this matters in single vehicle crashes though, then it's really dependent on the car itself. That's why big, primitive suvs are still fairly unsafe.
