It goes without saying that, one of today’s cars’ selling points is safety. However, since it’s no longer just about the passive stuff (crumple zones, seatbelts), and the active (sensor-assisted, self-braking, self-steering) end of the spectrum is where it’s at, the concept itself has become far more nuanced.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) proved it when it tested its most recent batch of cars, a very diverse bunch, which fared very differently to the small overlap crash.
Surprisingly, out of all 12 models tested, it was the Chevy Volt that achieved the Top Safety Pick+ rating, whereas at the other end of the scales, the Mazda 5 severely disappointed. It’s actually scary the way it performs during the crash, or rather doesn’t, as it crushes the driver against the instrument binnacle and the seat (the steering wheel plus airbag move out of the way…).
Managing only a slightly better performance than the abysmal Mazda 5, the Nissan Leaf only rated (slightly) better for “restraints & kinematics,” and “hip and thigh.” Even the Fiat 500 was deemed safer, though, not by much…
Top Safety Picks include the MINI Countryman, Ford C-Max, Mitsubishi Lancer, Scion FR-S and its Subaru BRZ sibling.
By Andrei Nedelea
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