Safety has improved in small cars
With high gas prices showing few signs of abating, small vehicle sales have been on the rise in recent months, due in large part to their fuel economy. But another major reason people choose cars is for their safety rating.
For years, small cars have carried the stigma of being less safe than larger vehicles. However, a recent review from the U.S.-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says that’s no longer the case.
After performing a number of safety evaluations on a variety of vehicles, IIHS awarded 13 cars with the coveted Top Safety Pick. Among these, six were small vehicles – the 2012 Ford Focus and Honda Civic and the 2011 Hyundai Elantra, Lexus CT 200H hybrid, Nissan Juke and Toyota Prius hybrid.
"The list of cars with the best fuel economy now includes those with the highest crash test ratings in their class, too," said David Zuby, chief research officer for the IIHS. "At a time of high gasoline prices, consumers have never had a bigger selection of small cars that earn Top Safety Pick.
Policyholders may also find small cars to be the most affordable to insure, as auto insurance companies sometimes provide discounts for vehicles that have good safety ratings and are fuel efficient.