IIHS Crash Tests Downgrade Subcompacts

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)stand the complexities of driving. Next to Versa is
released its most recent crash-test ratings but did notToyota Yaris. The latter gets good in both front and
endorse any models evaluated. Instead, said instituteside crash tests and marginal in the rear crash test.
urged auto consumers to stick with bigger, heavierToyota auto body parts are also meticulously
vehicles because they typically are safer for motorists.assembled to ensure safety of the car occupants.
IIHS real-life crash results also revealed thatThe worst performers in the IIHS crash-tests are
subcompacts are not the best safety choice. ThisHyundai Accent and Kia Rio. Said cars earned
information was divulged by Adrian Lund, president ofacceptable rating in the front crash test but poor in the
IIHSside and rear tests. "Hyundai is targeting July
Subcompacts are the smallest vehicles on the roadproduction to add the Accent to its list of vehicles
these days. The recorded crash rates involvingequipped with active head restraints," said Miles
subcompacts are higher than in other auto category.Johnson Hyundai spokesman. The rear crash-test
As a fact, the rates are more than twice the deathrating is based on headrest criteria.
rates for midsize and large vehicles.It was found out that the vehicles that were given high
IIHS evaluated a total of 9 cars weighing 2,500 poundsratings were equipped with side air bags and
or less. Said cars are smaller than Honda Civichead-protection systems. "Larger cars provide more
compact. This is because body parts for Honda Civicprotection, even slightly larger, and they get almost as
are made heavier and tougher. Crash ratings of thegood gas mileage," Lund noted. "Some of the midsize
cars ranges from good, followed by acceptable,cars like the Accord and the Camry, if you get them in
marginal and poor.the four-cylinder versions, have as good a gas mileage
Among the nine subcompacts Nissan Versa rates theas the mini cars. If you really want to save fuel, buy a
highest in 3 crash-test categories named front, sidelarger car that's less powerful than a smaller
and rear. Nissan OEM body parts are engineered tolightweight vehicle that also sacrifices your safety.