If a VW Beetle got in a fight with an SUV, who would win?
Probably the SUV. The poor Beetle is so small that it wouldn’t stand a chance!
That brings up a tough question. Are small cars safe? Remember what you learned in science class:
Force = mass x acceleration
An SUV has a LOT more mass than a VW Beetle. Thus, it would produce more force (do more damage) in a collision. Sounds simple, but the issue is more complicated than I’m making it sound. Let’s explore this question in-depth.
Small cars have some neat perks.
Small cars are easy to park. Big trucks? Not as much. Small cars can travel far on a tank of gas. Bulky vehicles don’t have a very good fuel economy. Small cars are cheaper to maintain than big cars. Also, small cars are just plain cute!
You can’t escape the law of physics.
A 2015 Mini Cooper weighs a little over 2,500 lbs. A 2013 Dodge Durango weighs 6,500 lbs.
Question: If a Mini Cooper and Dodge Durango had a head-on collision, which would be in worse shape?
Answer: the Mini Cooper. The Durango is surrounded by so much steel that it is like a muscular bodybuilder. The Mini Cooper is more like a marathon runner. It can’t carry a lot of mass, because that would slow it down too much.
What about rollover risk?
Big cars consistently out-perform small cars in crash safety tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Big cars aren’t perfect, though. Old SUV’s can be dangerous. They have the size advantage I already mentioned, but that’s outweighed by their tendency to rollover.
However, SUV’s made after 2009 are safer than small cars. They are equipped with electronic stability control (ESC), which minimizes that risk by helping the driver maintain control of the vehicle.
In defense of small cars…
Less than 0.06% of all frontal crashes are as severe as IIHS crash tests, according to Toyota safety and quality communications manager Brian Lyons. Please note he has a dog in this race, so you should probably take that insight with a grain of salt.
It’s good to be cautious, but don’t be paranoid. As long as you drive defensively, you can prevent traffic accidents. Love small cars? Fine. Buy one! Just look into crash-test ratings first. Check out both NHTSA and IIHS so you can weigh your options and feel confident about your decision.
Are small cars safe? (Final Verdict)
Small cars are not as safe as big cars, but they’re also easier to maneuver and less expensive to maintain. It all comes down to what is most important to you: cost, convenience, or safety. There is no “right” or “wrong” answer. You have the power to choose. Please share this blog with your friends so they can be informed like you. Thanks! 🙂
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