Crash tests show small cars making big gains in safety

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave poor marks to the PT Cruiser for side crash protection, while the Toyota Matrix earned the top rating for such crashes. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety via Associated Press)

WASHINGTON - Small cars, which have become more popular with the fluctuation in gas prices, are becoming better equipped to protect motorists in serious crashes, according to tests by the insurance industry.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave top scores on front-end crash tests for several 2009 small cars. Three vehicles - the Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix, which share the same underpinnings, and the Suzuki SX4 - also received top scores in side protection.

Only one vehicle tested, the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser, received the lowest mark of poor in side and rear protection.

Two other 2009 small cars, the Ford Focus and the Chevrolet HHR, got top marks in front-end tests and received the second-highest score of acceptable in side protection.

"Automakers have made big improvements to small cars to better protect people in frontal crashes," said Joe Nolan, an Institute senior vice president. "They've also added stronger structures and standard head-protecting side air bags to help in side crashes."

Sales of the entire US vehicle market have declined by more than 16 percent through the end of November, according to Autodata Corp. But sales of small cars have increased more than 1 percent over the year.

Nolan said 11 of the 21 current small cars rated by the Insurance Institute earned top scores in side protection. Two years ago, he said, three of 19 models earned the top score.

He cautioned that no car can overcome the laws of physics - smaller cars typically provide less crash protection than larger, heavier vehicles. But the improvements in the small cars have been attributed to the growing installation of side air bags as standard equipment.

Among other new cars tested, the 2009 Hyundai Elantra and 2009 Saturn Astra received the top score of good in front-end tests and the second-lowest rating of marginal in side testing.

GM spokeswoman Carolyn Markey said the Astra and Chevrolet HHR both performed well in the government's crash tests and the vehicles "meet or exceed all federal safety standards."

During tests on the PT Cruiser, the institute found that measurements on the driver dummy showed rib fractures and internal organ injuries would have been likely in a similar crash. Test results showed the rear passenger could have suffered serious neck injuries and a fractured pelvis in a similar accident.

"The PT Cruiser doesn't offer the same crash protection level as other small cars," Nolan said.

Chrysler said that the vehicle has performed well in government tests and the PT Cruiser is equipped with standard front and side air bags. Chrysler said a vehicle's overall safety performance can't be determined by a single test and the IIHS results are reviewed by the company to make improvements.