Smaller cars score poorly in crash tests

Drivers in small vehicles are at a significant disadvantage on crowded highways, particularly when they collide with bigger vehicles, according to a study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released on Tuesday.

The group tested eight models of small cars and found that only the Nissan Versa tested well in both side- and rear-crash tests. The Toyota Yaris (with optional side airbags), Honda Fit and BMW Mini Cooper performed well in side tests but scored poorly in rear tests.

"We tested a total of eight vehicles, at the top of our list was the Nissan Versa, it was good in our frontal, side and rear tests," said Steve Oesch, senior vice-president of the IIHS. The Versa was the largest of the minicars tested.

"At the very bottom of our list was the Hyundai Accent. Unfortunately it did very poorly in our side tests and in our rear tests as well," Oesch said.

The Hyundai Accent, Scion xB and the Toyota Yaris (without optional side airbags) tested poorly for side-impact resistance. The IIHS also found that the Chevrolet Aveo offered marginal protection.

The IIHS also noted that driver death rates inminicars are more than double the death rates in midsize and large cars, given that the cars can be pushed backward more easily and their structures are less able to shield the passenger compartments.

A minicar weighs 1,130 kilograms or less. By comparison, a small car weighs about 1,265 kilograms and an SUV about 2,900 kg.

"The laws of physics apply," Oesch said. "The smaller, lighter cars are going to be more at risk in crashes than the larger and heavier ones."