SX4, Matrix score Good on IIHS tests, PT Cruiser... not so much

SX4, Matrix score Good on IIHS tests, PT Cruiser... not so much

Filed under: Economy, Safety, Chevrolet, Chrysler, LLC., Ford, Hyundai, MINI, Saturn, Suzuki, Toyota

Click above for a gallery of high-res IIHS crash carnage

Recent testing indicates that new cars are safe, regardless of their relative size. No surprise, then, that most of the latest 2009 model-year small cars tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety performed fairly well. Included in this round of testing were the Chevrolet HHR, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Saturn Astra, Suzuki SX4, and Toyota Matrix. All seven of these machines (remember too that the Pontiac Vibe uses the same underpinnings as the Matrix) scored "good," the highest rating available, for occupant protection in frontal crashes, and only the newest designs -- the SX4, Matrix and Vibe -- scored that high in side crash testing.

The poorest performer of the group, Chrysler's PT Cruiser, also happens to be the oldest design. This being the case, it's lowly "poor" rating in side and rear crashes, due in large part to its ineffective head restraints and lack of rear side-mounted airbags, isn't too shocking. The HHR and SX4 also scored only marginally better in seat/head restraint testing. The latest MINI Cooper was also smashed for science, and it performed fairly well for a car of its diminutive proportions. For a complete recount of the IIHS results, click past the break. Feeling an unhealthy desire to see the aftermath? Check out our gallery below.

Gallery: IIHS 2009 small car crash testing



[Source: IIHS]Continue reading SX4, Matrix score Good on IIHS tests, PT Cruiser... not so much

SX4, Matrix score Good on IIHS tests, PT Cruiser... not so much originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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