In a world of advancing technology and constant innovation, safety remains paramount in vehicle design. However, not all cars are created equal in this respect. From compact city commuters to high-performance muscle cars, no category is immune to the occasional misstep in safety design. Here, we explore 12 well-known models that performed underwhelmingly in crash tests, calling into question their perceived safety.
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Smart ForTwo
In recent years, the Smart ForTwo was criticized for its crash test performance. Although its compact size is great for city driving and parking, it didn’t provide good protection to its occupants in high-speed collisions. According to IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety), in 2017, the Smart ForTwo received a “poor” rating in the small overlap front test, exposing the driver to potential leg injuries due to the vehicle’s small crumple zone.
Chevrolet Spark (2013)
The 2013 Chevy Spark had safety concerns due to its subpar performance in crash tests. In the IIHS small overlap front crash test, the Spark received an “acceptable” rating, which is a relatively low score. Occupants were at a high risk of injury to their lower extremities due to the intrusion of the vehicle’s structure into the cabin space.
Ford Mustang (2016)
The 2016 Ford Mustang raised some eyebrows when it scored a “marginal” rating in the small overlap front crash test conducted by IIHS. The post-crash evaluation showed a high likelihood of the driver’s lower extremity injuries due to excessive intrusion into the occupant compartment, raising questions about the vehicle’s safety.
Nissan Versa (2012)
The 2012 Nissan Versa didn’t perform well in the IIHS tests, with a “poor” rating in the small overlap front crash test. In these evaluations, the car showed a high risk of serious injuries to the driver’s legs and feet. The Versa’s structure was rated as “poor” due to the excessive intrusion into the driver’s space.
Kia Rio (2015)
The 2015 Kia Rio was another car model that struggled in crash tests. In the IIHS small overlap front crash test, it was rated “poor.” The crash test dummy’s movement was not well controlled, and measurements taken from the dummy indicated a high risk of injuries to the left lower leg and foot.
Hyundai Accent (2012)
The 2012 Hyundai Accent had poor results in the IIHS crash tests, particularly the small overlap front test, where it was given a “poor” rating. The intruding structure seriously compromised the driver’s space, raising potential injury risks to the driver’s legs and feet.
Jeep Wrangler (2015)
The 2015 Jeep Wrangler, a popular off-roading vehicle, got a “marginal” score in the IIHS side-impact crash test. The test revealed that the driver’s door opened during the crash, which can result in the occupant being partially or completely ejected from the vehicle.
Chrysler 200 (2014)
The 2014 Chrysler 200 scored ” marginal ” in the IIHS small overlap front crash test. The safety cage was compromised significantly, and the dummy’s head barely contacted the front airbag before sliding off the left side, leaving it at risk of hitting the instrument panel.
Mitsubishi Mirage (2014)
The 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage received a “poor” rating in the IIHS small overlap front test. The dummy’s head struck the steering wheel through the airbag due to poor airbag timing. This situation significantly increases the risk of a head injury in the event of a real-world crash of this severity.
Toyota Yaris (2013)
The 2013 Toyota Yaris was rated “marginal” in the IIHS small overlap front test. The safety cage didn’t hold up well, with significant intrusion into the driver’s space, leading to a high risk of injuries to the dummy’s left lower leg and foot.
Fiat 500 (2012)
The 2012 Fiat 500 was rated “poor” by IIHS in the small overlap front crash test. The intruding structure severely compromised the driver’s survival space. Also, the steering column was pushed back toward the driver, which could result in a higher risk of injuries.
Mazda CX-3 (2016)
The 2016 Mazda CX-3 was given a “marginal” rating in the IIHS headlight safety test. While not a crash test per se, poor headlight performance can increase the risk of a collision during nighttime driving, as it may not sufficiently illuminate the road ahead. This may increase the risk of accidents, particularly with pedestrians or cyclists who might not be easily visible.
This article originally appeared on MyCarMakesNoise.
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