Most small cars fare poorly in US severe crash test

IN THE small car test, only the Mini Cooper Countryman earned an overall good score. It earned a good score across the injury scale, meaning the driver is less likely to be injured in a crash. SOURCE:INTERNET

Small cars have inherent disadvantages when it comes to a crash, whether in real life or in the laboratory. In a collision, they will be exposed to greater force due to their lower mass. Their smaller frames mean less crash structure to manage impact energy and direct them away from the vehicle occupants. Still, automakers can overcome those disadvantages by implementing intelligent design and reinforcing the cars’ chassis at critical points.

This was borne out by the latest crash test performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) on a group of compact vehicles. The severe overlap front crash test subjected 12 small cars to the Institute’s small overlap front crash test. The test replicates the results of a front collision with another vehicle or fixed object such as tree or utility pole. Only 25 percent of the vehicle’s front end is involved in the contact at 64 kilometers per hour. The test is more severe than head-on crashes conducted by the US government’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or the IIHS’ moderate overlap test. The car’s main structural crush zone are bypassed, making it difficult for the cars to manage the crash energy, and leading to a greater probability of the cabin collapsing.

In the small car test, only the Mini Cooper Countryman earned an overall good score. It earned a good score across the injury scale, meaning the driver is less likely to be injured in a crash. It also earned a good for its restraint system, air bags and seatbelts, while its structure was rated as acceptable. The results for the Countryman are not applicable to the smaller Cooper hatchback.

Four small cars—the Fiat 500L, Mazda5, Nissan Juke and Nissan Leaf—had their occupant compartments collapsed. This exposed the crash test dummy to severe forces. In the Mazda5, the dummy recorded a high risk of injuries to the head, thigh, pelvis and lower leg.

Aside from the Mini Countryman, the Ford C-Max Hybrid, based on the Focus platform; the Mitsubishi Lancer; and the Scion FR-S (aka Toyota 86) and its Subaru BRZ twin qualify for the Institute’s Top Safety Pick. They earned a good or acceptable rating for the small overlap protection test and a good rating in the Institute’s other four tests. The Chevrolet Volt electric car earned the higher Top Safety Pick+ as it had a front crash prevention system. The Volt and the Nissan Leaf electric car were also tested for possible electric shock hazards and no issues were found with the batteries and electrical systems.

The IIHS describes itself as an independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing deaths, injuries and property damage from crashes. They are known to conduct safety testing that is more severe that is required by US government regulations.