Crash test - IIHS rates small and compact cars

Only two out of eight small cars in the latest tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) provide good side crash protection, once again reinforcing the need for consumers to carefully review the safety equipment and safety ratings for models under consideration for purchase.

In this group, the 2009 Suzuki SX4 was the best performer, getting good ratings for front-and side-crash protection. The Toyota Matrix, and its twin Pontiac Vibe, also got good ratings for side-crash protection. The Chevrolet HHR earned good frontal-crash protection and acceptable performance in side crashes.

At the other end of the spectrum, the oldest model in this group, Chrysler PT Cruiser was the worst performer in the side test, earning the lowest rating of poor for protection in side crashes. The Hyundai Elantra and Saturn Astra earn the second lowest rating of marginal.

Small and compact cars
The December IIHS crash-test group is listed below in rank order, with the specific air bag configuration tested and applicable model years listed.

Suzuki SX4
Front - Good; Side - Good
Front and rear head curtain air bags and front torso air bags.
Front and side: 2008-2009 models

Toyota Matrix (and Pontiac Vibe)
Side - Good
Front and rear head curtain air bags and front torso air bags.
Side: 2009 models

Chevrolet HHR
Front - Good; Side - Acceptable
Front and rear head curtain air bags
Front: 2006-2009 models, side: 2009 models

Ford Focus
Side - Acceptable
Front and rear head-curtain air bags and front torso air bags.
2008-09 models

Mini Cooper
Side - Acceptable
Front and rear head-curtain air bags and front torso air bags.
Side: 2008-09 models manufactured after July 2008

Saturn Astra
Front - Good; Side - Marginal
Front and rear head curtain air bags and front torso air bags.
Front and side: 2008-09 models

Hyundai Elantra
Side - Marginal
Front and rear head-curtain air bags and front torso air bags.
Side: 2007-09 models

Chrysler PT Cruiser
Front - Good; Side - Poor
Front combination head and torso airbags and driver inflatable knee bolster
Front: 2006-09 models, side: 2008-09 models

—Desiree Calamari

Comments

[Derrick G]

Hope this means that the Elantra is removed from the recommended list until Hyundai can get side airbags more like the Amanti has in there. Maybe they'll upgrade the head restraints while they're at it since this is such an embarassment.

[David Evans]

Of course, they had some small cars that were already recommended. Or at least, the 2008 and newer Impreza (with ESC/VDC). These other guys are just catching up.

[Steve S.]

I question how the Hyundai Elantra was placed on the CR Recommended list prior to knowing what the IIHS side crash-test result would be.

[Jeff Bartlett - Consumer Reports]

The IIHS side crash is part of a composite score that constitutes the safety assessment. With ESC on the SE it's still high enough even with a "marginal."

Basically if the IIHS frontal impact and other crash tests are good, coupled with strong performace in the active safety components from our testing, then combined they constitute an above-average safety composite score. We determine that score even prior to knowing IIHS side-impact results, the availability of which varies.

[Derrick G]

Does the Elantra GLS still have a high enough composite score with its smaller, less agressive tires and lack of ESC?