7 Safest Fresh and Used Puny Cars
Fresh Car Review
Car Comparison
For some drivers, puny cars have slew to suggest. Those who value high fuel economy will appreciate the thriftiness of smaller vehicles. City dwellers can appreciate effortless maneuverability in taut catches sight of and cramped parking lots. Commuters who often drive alone may not need gigantic rear seats and cargo space. Price is always a consideration, too, and smaller vehicles are often more affordable to buy or lease than their larger counterparts.
As with any fresh or used vehicle choice, safety is always an significant consideration, too. Fortunately, several puny vehicle models prove safe in crash tests, and automakers are always finding fresh ways to protect occupants in even the smallest, lightest vehicles. Epic safety ratings for these compact vehicles means that drivers can love the advantages of smaller dimensions without the fear of compromised safety.
These seven vehicles scored very in both the federal government’s crash-test ratings and testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Most are available as fresh and used models.
Mazda3
The compact Mazda3 is available in sedan and hatchback versions, both of which scored well in crash tests. The latest Mazda3, in fact, earned the highest Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS thanks to high scores in each crash-test category, including the harsh small-overlap front crash test. Mazda also offers collision-prevention technology, which is a requirement for earning the top IIHS safety score.
In government testing by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Mazda3 ranked very, too, earning the top 5-star overall rating. Those high marks extend back only to the two thousand fourteen model, tho’, when the latest version of the Mazda3 arrived. Previous versions received a 4-star rating, albeit IIHS called the two thousand eleven through two thousand thirteen Mazda3 a Top Safety Pick. If the Mazda3 fits your needs, go for the newer two thousand fourteen or two thousand fifteen model if you can afford the price premium for a newer vehicle.
Subaru Impreza
Like the Mazda above, the latest Subaru Impreza banged IIHS testing, landing a Top Safety Pick+ designation with high marks across all crash-test categories and a top-rated collision-prevention system. Earlier models from two thousand twelve to two thousand fourteen earned a Top Safety Pick, too. And since 2013, the Impreza has achieved a 5-star safety rating from NHTSA.
In addition to the typical array of safety features that help protect passengers if a crash occurs, the Impreza includes standard all-wheel drive, which may help prevent accidents in the very first place. Drivers in areas with harsh winter climates may choose the extra traction of all-wheel drive over front-wheel drive, the standard setup on most of the vehicles on this list.
Subaru XV Crosstrek
Like its sister model, the Impreza, Subaru’s XV Crosstrek also gets standard all-wheel drive and high marks for safety. The XV Crosstrek is truly a variation on the Impreza, with sportier styling and higher ground clearance. It’s an ideal petite car for drivers looking for a safe and economical commute during the week and an adventure-ready rail on weekend excursions.
The XV Crosstrek arrived in two thousand thirteen and instantly earned a 5-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS. It earned a coveted Top Safety Pick+ for 2015, thanks to Subaru’s very praised frontal collision-prevention technology.
Used-car shoppers may be better off with the Impreza, since the model has been around a bit longer and is more widely available in the used-car market.
Honda Fit
Honda’s smallest vehicle is the Fit, a 5-door hatchback with remarkably useful interior space and excellent safety ratings, at least for the newest version. The current Fit debuted last year as a two thousand fifteen model and scored very in ratings from IIHS and NHTSA, earning a Top Safety Pick and a 5-star overall score from federal regulators.
Used-car shoppers will not find a two thousand fourteen Honda Fit; the nameplate took a year off before the redesigned two thousand fifteen model hit showrooms. But two thousand twelve and two thousand thirteen models scored well in IIHS testing, also earning a Top Safety Pick. NHTSA looked less favorably upon the previous-generation Fit, tho’, providing it a 4-star safety rating before the redesign.
Scion TC
The only 3-door hatchback on the list, the Scion TC strikes a sporty look that hides its efficiency and affordable price tag. Albeit it doesn’t suggest a collision-prevention system to earn the + at the end of its IIHS rating, the TC still offers commendable safety stats, including a Top Safety Pick and a 5-star overall rating from the government.
The TC is a good choice for used-car shoppers, too. The current generation arrived in 2011, so slew of older TC models are available on the used-car market. Those earned high marks for safety, too, matching the ratings for the two thousand fifteen model. If rear-seat accessibility isn’t high on your priority list but sporty styling is, consider the small-but-safe Scion TC.
Chevrolet Sonic
Excellent safety ratings are extraordinaire for any petite car, but are especially so for the diminutive Chevrolet Sonic, a subcompact model available in sedan and hatchback figure styles. This little Chevy earned a 5-star overall rating from NHTSA and, until 2014, also earned a Top Safety Pick from IIHS.
Results from the challenging small-overlap front crash test by IIHS hurt the Sonic’s ratings in two thousand fourteen and 2015, however. IIHS rated its results as Marginal, the second-lowest score. Earlier Sonic models, from two thousand twelve and 2013, retained their Top Safety Pick rating, while two thousand fourteen and two thousand fifteen models lost the honor. Still, the Sonic offers a basic collision-prevention system and commendable ratings for such a compact vehicle.
Buick Encore/Chevrolet Trax
This pair of compact crossovers from GM, the Buick Encore and fresh Chevrolet Trax, share a platform as well as high safety ratings from NHTSA. Both are available in front-wheel drive and, for better traction in inclement weather, optional all-wheel drive. The two thousand fifteen Encore and Trax earned five starlets from NHTSA with either drivetrain option.
The Trax is fresh for 2015, but the Encore boasts a longer history, introduced for the two thousand thirteen model year. Used-car shoppers considering the Encore should stick to the all-wheel-drive version, which earned five starlets compared to four starlets for the front-wheel-drive models. IIHS has not yet tested the Trax, but two thousand thirteen and two thousand fourteen Encore models scored a Top Safety Pick, albeit the lowest rating of Poor in the small-overlap test prevented the Encore from adding a + to that rating. Still, the Encore is suggested with a frontal collision-prevention system and scored well in each of the other IIHS tests.
Fortunately for both new- and used-car shoppers, finding an affordable and fuel-efficient puny car doesn’t mean you have to compromise on safety. Consider one of these seven models and love effortless and efficient everyday driving along with good passenger protection in the event of a crash. Automotive safety is always improving, too. In the future, we expect even more petite cars to suggest outstanding safety as automakers increasingly add collision-prevention technology and rigid bod structures that can withstand the requests of rigorous tests such as the IIHS small-overlap front crash.
7 Safest Fresh and Used Puny Cars
7 Safest Fresh and Used Puny Cars
Fresh Car Review
Car Comparison
For some drivers, petite cars have slew to suggest. Those who value high fuel economy will appreciate the thriftiness of smaller vehicles. City dwellers can appreciate effortless maneuverability in taut catches sight of and cramped parking lots. Commuters who often drive alone may not need big rear seats and cargo space. Price is always a consideration, too, and smaller vehicles are often more affordable to buy or lease than their larger counterparts.
As with any fresh or used vehicle choice, safety is always an significant consideration, too. Fortunately, several petite vehicle models prove safe in crash tests, and automakers are always finding fresh ways to protect occupants in even the smallest, lightest vehicles. Amazing safety ratings for these compact vehicles means that drivers can love the advantages of smaller dimensions without the fear of compromised safety.
These seven vehicles scored very in both the federal government’s crash-test ratings and testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Most are available as fresh and used models.
Mazda3
The compact Mazda3 is available in sedan and hatchback versions, both of which scored well in crash tests. The latest Mazda3, in fact, earned the highest Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS thanks to high scores in each crash-test category, including the rough small-overlap front crash test. Mazda also offers collision-prevention technology, which is a requirement for earning the top IIHS safety score.
In government testing by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Mazda3 ranked very, too, earning the top 5-star overall rating. Those high marks extend back only to the two thousand fourteen model, tho’, when the latest version of the Mazda3 arrived. Previous versions received a 4-star rating, albeit IIHS called the two thousand eleven through two thousand thirteen Mazda3 a Top Safety Pick. If the Mazda3 fits your needs, go for the newer two thousand fourteen or two thousand fifteen model if you can afford the price premium for a newer vehicle.
Subaru Impreza
Like the Mazda above, the latest Subaru Impreza smashed IIHS testing, landing a Top Safety Pick+ designation with high marks across all crash-test categories and a top-rated collision-prevention system. Earlier models from two thousand twelve to two thousand fourteen earned a Top Safety Pick, too. And since 2013, the Impreza has achieved a 5-star safety rating from NHTSA.
In addition to the typical array of safety features that help protect passengers if a crash occurs, the Impreza includes standard all-wheel drive, which may help prevent accidents in the very first place. Drivers in areas with harsh winter climates may choose the extra traction of all-wheel drive over front-wheel drive, the standard setup on most of the vehicles on this list.
Subaru XV Crosstrek
Like its sister model, the Impreza, Subaru’s XV Crosstrek also gets standard all-wheel drive and high marks for safety. The XV Crosstrek is truly a variation on the Impreza, with sportier styling and higher ground clearance. It’s an ideal puny car for drivers looking for a safe and economical commute during the week and an adventure-ready rail on weekend excursions.
The XV Crosstrek arrived in two thousand thirteen and instantly earned a 5-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS. It earned a coveted Top Safety Pick+ for 2015, thanks to Subaru’s very praised frontal collision-prevention technology.
Used-car shoppers may be better off with the Impreza, since the model has been around a bit longer and is more widely available in the used-car market.
Honda Fit
Honda’s smallest vehicle is the Fit, a 5-door hatchback with remarkably useful interior space and excellent safety ratings, at least for the newest version. The current Fit debuted last year as a two thousand fifteen model and scored very in ratings from IIHS and NHTSA, earning a Top Safety Pick and a 5-star overall score from federal regulators.
Used-car shoppers will not find a two thousand fourteen Honda Fit; the nameplate took a year off before the redesigned two thousand fifteen model hit showrooms. But two thousand twelve and two thousand thirteen models scored well in IIHS testing, also earning a Top Safety Pick. NHTSA looked less favorably upon the previous-generation Fit, however, providing it a 4-star safety rating before the redesign.
Scion TC
The only 3-door hatchback on the list, the Scion TC strikes a sporty look that hides its efficiency and affordable price tag. Albeit it doesn’t suggest a collision-prevention system to earn the + at the end of its IIHS rating, the TC still offers commendable safety stats, including a Top Safety Pick and a 5-star overall rating from the government.
The TC is a good choice for used-car shoppers, too. The current generation arrived in 2011, so slew of older TC models are available on the used-car market. Those earned high marks for safety, too, matching the ratings for the two thousand fifteen model. If rear-seat accessibility isn’t high on your priority list but sporty styling is, consider the small-but-safe Scion TC.
Chevrolet Sonic
Excellent safety ratings are epic for any puny car, but are especially so for the diminutive Chevrolet Sonic, a subcompact model available in sedan and hatchback figure styles. This little Chevy earned a 5-star overall rating from NHTSA and, until 2014, also earned a Top Safety Pick from IIHS.
Results from the challenging small-overlap front crash test by IIHS hurt the Sonic’s ratings in two thousand fourteen and 2015, however. IIHS rated its results as Marginal, the second-lowest score. Earlier Sonic models, from two thousand twelve and 2013, retained their Top Safety Pick rating, while two thousand fourteen and two thousand fifteen models lost the honor. Still, the Sonic offers a basic collision-prevention system and commendable ratings for such a compact vehicle.
Buick Encore/Chevrolet Trax
This pair of compact crossovers from GM, the Buick Encore and fresh Chevrolet Trax, share a platform as well as high safety ratings from NHTSA. Both are available in front-wheel drive and, for better traction in inclement weather, optional all-wheel drive. The two thousand fifteen Encore and Trax earned five starlets from NHTSA with either drivetrain option.
The Trax is fresh for 2015, but the Encore boasts a longer history, introduced for the two thousand thirteen model year. Used-car shoppers considering the Encore should stick to the all-wheel-drive version, which earned five starlets compared to four starlets for the front-wheel-drive models. IIHS has not yet tested the Trax, but two thousand thirteen and two thousand fourteen Encore models scored a Top Safety Pick, albeit the lowest rating of Poor in the small-overlap test prevented the Encore from adding a + to that rating. Still, the Encore is suggested with a frontal collision-prevention system and scored well in each of the other IIHS tests.
Fortunately for both new- and used-car shoppers, finding an affordable and fuel-efficient puny car doesn’t mean you have to compromise on safety. Consider one of these seven models and love effortless and efficient everyday driving along with good passenger protection in the event of a crash. Automotive safety is always improving, too. In the future, we expect even more petite cars to suggest outstanding safety as automakers increasingly add collision-prevention technology and rigid assets structures that can withstand the requests of rigorous tests such as the IIHS small-overlap front crash.