IIHS: Small-Car Crashworthiness Improving, But ESC Still Lacking

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says seven ’09 small cars it recently tested earned the organization’s highest rating for occupant protection in a frontal crash, but only three performed as well in side crashes and the absence of standard electronic stability control continues to undercut safety advances in the segment.

Models to earn the insurance group’s “good” rating in frontal-crash tests include the Chevrolet HHR, Saturn Astra, Pontiac Vibe, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Suzuki SX4 and Toyota Matrix. Ward’s classifies the HHR and PT Cruiser as small cross/utility vehicles, while the Vibe and Matrix share the same platform.

Only the SX4, Vibe and Matrix earned an additional good rating from the IIHS in side-impact crashes.

In total, 11 of the 21 current small cars tested by the institute earn good ratings in side-impact crashes, a great improvement over the ’06 model year when just three of the 19 vehicles tested earned the highest designation.

IIHS Vice President Joe Nolan cites stronger structures and standard head-protection side airbags from manufacturers of smaller, lighter cars. But Nolan also warns smaller cars typically offer less protection than larger ones, a key observation as more consumers turn to the segment for improved fuel economy.

“There’s no escaping the laws of physics,” he says in a statement. “People in larger, heavier cars fare better in crashes with other vehicles, and in single-vehicle crashes, than people in smaller cars.”

’09 Chevy HHR among seven small cars to earn top IIHS safety rating.

Standard ESC also remains largely absent among vehicles tested by the IIHS. In its latest round of crashes, only the HHR and Vibe carry ESC as standard equipment. The safety feature is optional on the others, as well as Matrix, and not available on the PT Cruiser.

“Cars aren’t involved in rollovers as often as SUVs and pickups, but when they do the consequences can be deadly,” Nolan adds. “The smallest cars that most need this crash-avoidance feature often don’t have it.”

ESC lowers fatal rollover crash risk by 70%, the IIHS says. As a result, the features figures prominently in its “Top Safety Pick” rankings.

The institute also notes the PT Cruiser earned poor marks in both side- and rear-impact crash tests. It was the only vehicle tested in the small-car round to receive the poor scores on both evaluations.

The IIHS says the Focus was the only vehicle in the latest test to earn a good rating for its seat/head restraints in a rear crash.