In my previous post, I cited the safest cars according to crash tests and statistics compiled by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or IIHS. Now, those are the vehicles that you should buy. But then again, it all still depends on the driver. The test was just conducted to determine which ones will hold up well in an unforeseen and inevitable accident. Even if you are the most cautious driver, and even if you have an Audi A6, Acura RDX or a Honda CR-V, accidents can still happen. And that is what the safety features of your vehicle are for. It is also best to know which ones failed to pass the test conducted by the IIHS. I looked and looked for a list of least safe cars in 2008, but I can’t seem to find one, so I settled for the latest. I was able to find an article in Forbes.com which contained the info I was looking for. It was written by Dan Lienert and here is the list (in no particular order):
Ford Focus
2007 Ford Focus four-door, without optional side airbags
Safety issues:
--"Poor" side-impact rating from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
--Substantially worse-than-average frequency of injury claims filed
--Three-star frontal side-impact rating from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (out of a possible five stars)
Mazda3
2007 Mazda3 four-door, without optional side airbags
Safety issues:
--"Poor" side-impact rating from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
--Substantially worse-than-average frequency of injury claims filed
--Three-star frontal and rear side-impact ratings from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (out of a possible five stars)
Saturn Ion
2007 Saturn Ion four-door, with or without optional side airbags
Safety issues:
--"Poor" side-impact rating from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
--Substantially worse-than-average frequency of injury claims filed
--Three-star frontal side-impact ratings from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (out of a possible five stars)
--"Marginal" rear crash-protection rating from IIHS--the second lowest-possible rating
Suzuki Aerio
2007 Suzuki Aerio four-door and Aerio SX
Safety issues:
--"Poor" side-impact rating from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
--Substantially worse-than-average frequency of injury claims filed
--"Marginal" rear crash-protection rating from IIHS--the second lowest-possible rating
Suzuki Forenza
2007 Suzuki Forenza four-door
Safety issues:
--"Poor" side-impact rating from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
--Substantially worse-than-average frequency of injury claims filed
--"Poor" rear crash-protection rating from IIHS--the lowest-possible rating
Toyota Corolla
2007 Toyota Corolla four-door, without optional side airbags
Safety issues:
--"Poor" side-impact rating from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
--Substantially worse-than-average frequency of injury claims filed
--"Poor" rear crash-protection rating from IIHS--the lowest-possible rating
Chevrolet Cobalt
2007 Chevrolet Cobalt four-door, without optional side airbags
Safety issues:
--"Poor" side-impact rating from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
--Substantially worse-than-average frequency of injury claims filed
--"Safety concern" issued by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, based on Cobalt's performance in frontal side-impact testing
It is very surprising that Ford heads the list when they have a number of vehicle models in lists of safest cars. But the fact that it has no side airbags (even an optional one) guarantees it a spot on the list. Tests have proven that side airbags greatly reduce injury during a collision. It is even said to be the “new seatbelt”. And it actually makes sense. If you strategically place airbags all over the passenger compartment, you will be well protected during low-speed to moderate collisions. When you make a visit to a car dealership, you should think twice before you buy the abovementioned cars. But if you’re confident enough that you are a safe and cautious driver, then you can still get it if it’s what you fancy. All in all, the choice depends on you. The IIHS is just giving you facts. It’s up to you if you want to depend on it.
Ford Focus
2007 Ford Focus four-door, without optional side airbags
Safety issues:
--"Poor" side-impact rating from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
--Substantially worse-than-average frequency of injury claims filed
--Three-star frontal side-impact rating from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (out of a possible five stars)
Mazda3
2007 Mazda3 four-door, without optional side airbags
Safety issues:
--"Poor" side-impact rating from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
--Substantially worse-than-average frequency of injury claims filed
--Three-star frontal and rear side-impact ratings from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (out of a possible five stars)
Saturn Ion
2007 Saturn Ion four-door, with or without optional side airbags
Safety issues:
--"Poor" side-impact rating from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
--Substantially worse-than-average frequency of injury claims filed
--Three-star frontal side-impact ratings from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (out of a possible five stars)
--"Marginal" rear crash-protection rating from IIHS--the second lowest-possible rating
Suzuki Aerio
2007 Suzuki Aerio four-door and Aerio SX
Safety issues:
--"Poor" side-impact rating from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
--Substantially worse-than-average frequency of injury claims filed
--"Marginal" rear crash-protection rating from IIHS--the second lowest-possible rating
Suzuki Forenza
2007 Suzuki Forenza four-door
Safety issues:
--"Poor" side-impact rating from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
--Substantially worse-than-average frequency of injury claims filed
--"Poor" rear crash-protection rating from IIHS--the lowest-possible rating
Toyota Corolla
2007 Toyota Corolla four-door, without optional side airbags
Safety issues:
--"Poor" side-impact rating from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
--Substantially worse-than-average frequency of injury claims filed
--"Poor" rear crash-protection rating from IIHS--the lowest-possible rating
Chevrolet Cobalt
2007 Chevrolet Cobalt four-door, without optional side airbags
Safety issues:
--"Poor" side-impact rating from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
--Substantially worse-than-average frequency of injury claims filed
--"Safety concern" issued by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, based on Cobalt's performance in frontal side-impact testing
It is very surprising that Ford heads the list when they have a number of vehicle models in lists of safest cars. But the fact that it has no side airbags (even an optional one) guarantees it a spot on the list. Tests have proven that side airbags greatly reduce injury during a collision. It is even said to be the “new seatbelt”. And it actually makes sense. If you strategically place airbags all over the passenger compartment, you will be well protected during low-speed to moderate collisions. When you make a visit to a car dealership, you should think twice before you buy the abovementioned cars. But if you’re confident enough that you are a safe and cautious driver, then you can still get it if it’s what you fancy. All in all, the choice depends on you. The IIHS is just giving you facts. It’s up to you if you want to depend on it.
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