Caution: Compact cars have safety issues
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Mini Countryman Achieves 'Good' Rating in IIHS Safety Test
Overview of IIHS Testing
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is an independent committee focused on testing various cars for safety. They recently conducted a small overlap front test, which assesses the impact when a car's front corner collides with a firm barrier (e.g., a tree) at a speed of 40 mph. This specific testing method bypasses the crash-absorbing configurations on the car's front, making it more susceptible to damage. Consequently, achieving a 'Good' rating is quite challenging.
Test Results
The test included 12 cars, notably:
- Mini Countryman
- Chevy Volt
- Ford C-Max Hybrid
- Mitsubishi Lancer
- Scion FR-S
- Subaru BRZ
- Scion xB
- Hyundai Veloster
- Fiat 500L
- Nissan Juke
- Mazda 5
- Nissan Leaf
Among these 12 cars, the Mini Countryman surprisingly earned a “Good” rating, while the Mazda 5 received the lowest rating. Furthermore, the Chevy Volt earned the Top Safety Pick+ designation due to its advanced safety systems, including automatic brakes and collision warning. In comparison, the Countryman received the second-best rating, as it lacks the aforementioned safety systems.
Conclusion
So, next time you plan on buying a small car, keep these safety test results in mind.
