Small cars earn big marks in IIHS safety tests

We often carry the people and belongings we value most inside our vehicles. So it’s no surprise that the most important factor people look for in a new car is its safety rating, according to a Consumer Reports survey.

Recently, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released results from the safety tests it performed on small cars in the small overlap front test, which measures what happens when the front corner of a vehicle strikes another vehicle or an object (like a tree or utility pole).

It analyzed 12 models and found half earned a “good” or “acceptable” rating. These ratings qualify them for the TOP SAFETY PICK+ award that recognizes superior crash protection. Those top achievers are the:

·      2013 Honda Civic 2-door and 4-door

·      2013 Dodge Dart

·      2013 Ford Focus

·      2013 Hyundai Elantra

·      2014 Scion tC

As a group, small cars fared worse than their midsize counterparts in the same test, but better overall than small SUVs.

We’ve come a long way in vehicle safety, but some manufacturers outshine others. Not in the market for a small car? Be sure you’re well informed about any auto before heading to the dealership by reviewing the IIHS yearly vehicle ratings.

Websites:

IIHS

Consumer Reports