IIHS Adds Fourth Test Category: Roof Strength

Tiny as they are, Smart Fortwos perform quite well in IIHS crash tests thanks to its built in safety cage.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is an association of auto insurance companies who track how well vehicles perform in a crash. These tests go far in helping member companies decide how much to charge customers, which means automakers know that a low score could result in higher insurance premiums. High premiums can keep shoppers away from purchasing a particular model, thus the importance of performing well.

Thousands Killed Annually In Rollovers

Up until recently the IIHS tested cars for front, side and rear impact, but they didn’t test these cars for roof impact which happens as a result of vehicle roll overs. Roof strength is critical because if your roof collapses, you and your passengers could be seriously injured or killed. About 10,000 people are killed annually due to rollovers, which is about one-fourth of all vehicle deaths in the US.

To roll out its new test, the IIHS decided to test the smallest cars on the road – a group of micro and mini-cars that may soon become dominate on our roads especially if gas prices begin to surge once again. The Smart Fortwo, Chevy Aveo, Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris and Hyundai Accent were each tested with some surprising results – the Fortwo’s roof was the strongest while the Aveo was the weakest, the latter model given a “marginal” rating by the IIHS.

Smart Fortwo Cage

IIHS research has shown that car roofs have gotten strong lately, which is good news for consumers. In the case of the Smart Fortwo, which is enveloped in a safety cage, roof strength is superior to most cars on the road.

“We anticipate that our roof strength test will drive improved rollover crash protection the same way our frontal offset and side tests have led to better occupant protection in these kinds of crashes,” says Institute president Adrian Lund. “Small cars should have an easier time with the roof strength test,” Lund explains. “Their light weight means their roofs don’t have to work as hard to keep the structure around the occupants intact in a rollover.”

More Tests Soon

Likely, we’ll hear some pretty bad news as the IIHS test expands to incorporate more body styles with SUVs expected to perform poorly. Minivans, crossovers and any other larger vehicle will probably have a difficult time getting a score above acceptable with perhaps marginal being the common score among some segments.

Source: IIHS

See Also — IIHS Recognizes Ford Safety Among This Year’s Top Picks

5 Steps to Buying Your Next Car

Now Is The Time To Buy A New Car

In case you hadn’t realized it yet, we’re currently in the midst of one of the worst downturns the auto industry has seen in decades. Year to date, sales are down by 15%, but that figure is much higher for some automakers, including Chrysler where sales have dropped by more than 25% this year.

Bad news for the auto industry coupled with the calendar year coming to a close means one thing: passenger vehicle discounts have never been better, giving you an excellent chance to buy a new car for a lot less money.

Keep reading and we’ll take a look at five steps to help you save money on your new car:

1. Do Your Own Research – You may be fond of a particular make/model, but does that car live up to its hype? For an objective look at what experts say about the vehicle you like, make sure you acquaint yourself with reviews from The Truth About Cars, Consumer Reports, and other no holds barred publications.

2. Shop Around - Through the end of the year, the deals being offered will include some of the best seen in years, but shop around for the biggest savings. Take a look at what is being offered – low-cost financing, cash back, or a special lease deal – weigh each plan by learning which one is best for you. Also ask about military discounts, new grad rebates, and other offers available on top of already great savings.

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4. Compare Warranties - These days, all cars offer some sort of warranty on various parts, maintenance, powertrain, etc. The better the coverage offered, the less you’ll have to pay out of pocket down the road should something happen to your car. Consider buying a car that comes with a comprehensive warranty, forgoing the dealer warranty plan that can set you back an additional $500 to $1500 or more.

5. Contact Your Insurer – Before you settle on a particular car, why not call your auto insurer to get a quote on insurance coverage for the coming year? The results may shock you – that little Fit from Honda may cost you more money to insure than the Ford Focus thanks to crash worthiness tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), an industry advocacy group that sees how well cars hold up in a crash.

By doing your own research and taking your time comparing the deals being offered, you stand to save thousands of dollars off of the purchase price of a new car. Great deals won’t be around for a long time and when the market begins to recover, they’ll soon become as rare as hen’s teeth.