The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety announced the results of its 2014 sub-compact crash tests and they aren’t good. Last month, the IIHS released its initial list of 2014 Top Safety Picks and the Chevrolet Spark was the only “minicar” to make the list. Now the Institute has completed testing on a total of 11 sub-compact cars and there aren’t any newcomers.
Even with the Top Safety Pick designation, the Spark still only managed to score an “acceptable”rating. It lost points in the small overlap crash test, an area that proved to be even more devastating for the rest of the segment. The test is tougher than the older moderate overlap test because the vehicle’s front-end crush zone is bypassed. That can lead to the occupant compartment.
Honda Fit, Fiat 500 Perform Poorly
“The two worst performers are the Honda Fit and the Fiat 500,” The IIHS said in a statement. “In both cases, intruding structure seriously compromised the driver’s space, and the steering column was pushed back toward the driver.
