2014 BMW 2 low recovery IIHS crash test
11 subcompact and minibuses submitted to the Institute small overlap crash test only one, General Motors GM Chevrolet Spark pretty well.
Six cars have earned the lowest rating of poor What are the Nissan Versa NSANF Institute, MC Toyota Prius c, Hyundai Accent Mitsubishi Mirage, Fiat 500 and Chrysler Group HMC Honda Fit Mazda2 console, Kia Rio, Toyota Yaris Fiesta and Ford F were considered marginal, the second worst of four ratings most of these cars did well in other crash tests of the Institute and tests the insurance Institute is a government funded private organization by auto insurers.
The Spark received a score of acceptable No car has achieved the highest rating of good.
In the small overlap test, a vehicle strikes a barrier at 40 miles per hour with only a quarter of its bumper before the impact occurs on the left side, opposite the driver's seat This concentrates the forces of impact in a small area outside s strong crash safety structures built into most new vehicles.
Many cars have also gained good results of crash tests did wrong in this test, especially cars based on older designs, however, 39 cars so far, including the Spark, got a good or acceptable rating in the test.
In the real world, about a quarter of serious and fatal injuries in accidents are caused by front small overlap impacts similar to this, according to the Institute.
Honda and Mazda both noted that their small cars were designed before this particular crash test saw the Honda day unveiled a new redesigned Fit at the Detroit auto show recently Honda expects this car, which goes on sale in the spring to earn good score in this test, the automaker said in a statement.
Nissan, Hyundai and Toyota have said they consider the results as they seek to improve future models Builders except Mitsubishi, noted that their cars did well in other crash tests The Insurance Institute has not yet submitted the Mitsubishi Mirage in another crash tests.
Ford called the Fiesta a vehicle safely with resistance to shock and collision avoidance features designed to handle a variety of situations.
The crash test evaluation small overlap IIHS frontal poses specific challenges for all small and light vehicles, Mitsubishi said in a statement, stressing that the car does well in a number of specific criteria, including the protection of driver's head, neck and chest.
The two worst performing cars in this test were the Fit and the Fiat 500, the institute said in the two cars, the cockpit was crushed and management pushed towards the driver in the Fit, the driver's head ricocheted on the airbag before hitting the dashboard in 500 the door was ripped off its hinges These cars also were the only ones where injuries were deemed likely to both legs, not just one.
For the Spark, the crash test dummy showed a low probability of injury and dummy movements were well controlled during and after impact, the Institute said the lower part of the occupant compartment, in particular, has that helped protect the feet and legs.
The Spark is the only car of its size, to date, to win the safer prices of the Institute.
frontal crash test as these only indicate how a car will perform in an accident with a similar size vehicle In real life, however, the cars of this size are much more likely to hit a larger vehicle, the Institute crash tests insurance Institute indicated that in crashes between large and small vehicle occupants in the smaller vehicle will suffer far greater damage.
These cars have an inherent safety disadvantage to many types of accidents, the Insurance Institute spokesman Russ Rader said.
CNNMoney New York, first published January 22, 2014 December 12 pm ET.
Small cars are crushed in crash tests in January, small cars, crashed.