Is it safe?...the definitive answer!

[Macaw]

The next time someone asks "is it safe?" or "sure wouldn't want to be hit in that thing!"
Just hand them this!



IIHS Side Impact

http://www.iihs.org/ratings/default.aspx

The test configuration resulting from this research is a 31 mph (50 km/h) perpendicular impact into the driver side of a passenger vehicle. The moving deformable barrier that strikes the test vehicle weighs 3,300 pounds (1,500 kg) and has a front end shaped to simulate the typical front end of a pickup or SUV. In each side-struck vehicle are two instrumented SID-IIs dummies representing a small (5th percentile) female or a 12-year-old adolescent. These dummies are positioned in the driver seat and the rear seat behind the driver.


NOTE: Side impact crash test ratings can be compared across vehicle type and weight categories, while frontal crash test ratings cannot. This is because the kinetic energy involved in the side impact test depends on the weight and speed of the moving barrier, which are the same in every test. In contrast, the kinetic energy involved in the frontal crash test depends on the speed and weight of the test vehicle.

The smart ForTwo achieved the highest rating of Good as compared to the following vehicles that fared WORSE!

Acceptable rating side impact
Mercedes R class 2009 models with standard side airbags
Ford Explorer Ford Explorer Sport Trac Mercury Mountaineer 2009 models with standard side airbags
Suzuki XL7 2009 models with standard side airbags
Hummer H3 2009 models with standard side airbags
Suzuki Grand Vitara 2009 models with standard side airbags
Hyundai Tucson Kia Sportage 2009 models with standard side airbags
Mercedes E class 2009 models with standard side airbags
Cadillac STS 2009 models with standard side airbags
Cadillac DTS 2009 models with standard side airbags
Hyundai Azera 2009 models with standard side airbags
Buick Lucerne 2009 models with standard side airbags
Toyota Camry Solara convertible 2008 models with standard side airbags
Volvo S60 2009 models with standard side airbags
Lincoln MKZ 2009 models with standard side airbags
Saab 9-5 2009 models with standard side airbags
Volvo S40 2009 models with standard side airbags
Kia Optima 2009 models with standard side airbags
Hyundai Sonata 2009 models with standard side airbags
Pontiac G6 2009 models with standard side airbags
Chevrolet Cobalt 2009 models with standard side airbags
Ford Focus 2009 models with standard side airbags
Chevrolet HHR 2009 models with standard side airbags
Hyundai Elantra 2009 models with standard side airbags
Saturn Astra 2008 models with standard side airbags
Dodge Caliber 2009 models with standard but without additional optional side airbags
Kia Spectra 2009 models with standard side airbags
Mini Cooper 2009 models (mfg. after Jul. 2008) with standard side airbags


Marginal rating side impact

Dodge Ram 1500 2009 models (mfg. after Sep. 2008) with standard side airbags
Nissan Titan 2009 models with optional side airbags
Dodge Dakota 2009 models without optional side airbags
Nissan Frontier Suzuki Equator 2009 models without optional side airbags
Ford Ranger Mazda B Series 2009 models no side airbags available
Jeep Grand Cherokee 2009 models with standard side airbags
Jeep Wrangler 4-door 2009 models without optional side airbags
Jeep Liberty Dodge Nitro 2009 models with standard side airbags
Chevrolet TrailBlazer GMC Envoy Saab 9-7X 2009 models with standard side airbags
Jeep Patriot Jeep Compass 2009 models with standard but without additional optional side airbags
BMW 5 series 2009 models with standard but without additional optional side airbags
Ford Crown Victoria Mercury Grand Marquis 2009 models with standard side airbags
Buick LaCrosse 2009 models with standard side airbags
BMW 3 series convertible 2009 models with standard side airbags
Audi A4 Cabriolet 2009 models with standard side airbags
Pontiac G6 convertible 2009 models with standard side airbags
Chevrolet Aveo 2009 models with standard side airbags

Poor rating side impact

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 GMC Sierra 1500 2009 models with optional side airbags
Nissan Titan 2009 models without optional side airbags
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 GMC Sierra 1500 2009 models without optional side airbags
Chevrolet Colorado GMC Canyon 2009 models without optional side airbags
Kia Sorento 2008 models with standard side airbags
Jeep Wrangler 2-door 2009 models without optional side airbags
Chrysler 300 Dodge Charger 2009 models without optional side airbags
Volkswagen New Beetle 2009 models with standard side airbags
Chrysler PT Cruiser 2009 models with standard side airbags
Hyundai Accent Kia Rio 2009 models with standard side airbags

[jetfuel]

...hey Macaw..thanks....got link...

jetfuel

[fpage77]

I got the is it electric question today. I'm just waiting for the is it safe question. I mean who asks that kind of question, what do they think I would be a car that is unsafe like I don't care about my life.

[h20m0f0]

The statements will never stop because most people think bigger is safer

[NCC1701]

Macaw, please cite your source. Link please.

[John_H]

Originally Posted by fpage77

what do they think I would [buy] a car that is unsafe like I don't care about my life.

Do they think owners of all the cars listed in the "poor" side crash rating would buy a car that is unsafe?

Because one owns a car doesn't mean it's known as safe or unsafe.

It's the "I could squash it like an ant" mentality that leaves people thinking our hardshell cages aren't good enough.

(I couldn't say "bug" thanks to volkswagon and "spider" is kind of mitsubishi, ferrari, alfa romeo, porsche or even lamborghini)

[Chief Wahoo]

at least ya dont have to worry about doing a water landing with a car

[Fuse 11]

Originally Posted by fpage77

I got the is it electric question today. I'm just waiting for the is it safe question. I mean who asks that kind of question, what do they think I would be a car that is unsafe like I don't care about my life.

I got the "is it electric" question yesterday from an employee at the shop I was having its emissions test done at! (not, of course, from the technician...)

-Rusty
(UT wants a smog check on non-UT-titled vehicles even if they're new)

[Bill Marshall]

A friend of mine who's been driving a Mini cooper for 5 years told me that he would never buy a smart because it doesn't look safe. I can't wait to drop this information on him.

[JusNameMe]

I prefer my answers, "what do you care, you aren't invited to ride in it" or the more polite answer, "no, no it isn't, it's a rolling death trap, thank you for asking".