There has been a debate brewing over the relative merits of small and large cars for years. On the one end, you have those seeking small cars because they want to lessen their environmental impact, save gas money, and see a smaller sticker price at the dealership. On the other side, you have those that prefer to fork over the extra cash for a larger vehicle, which will usually cost more to insure, fuel up, and maintain. But, economics aside, which of the two will actually keep you safer?
Small Provides Little Safety
While fans of small cars may tout their benefits, they also tend to downplay the issue of safety when it comes up. But according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the laws of physics prevail in matters of automotive safety. IIHS reports that, when it comes to safety in small versus big cars, the larger cars win it hands down. And it stands to reason that, if a minicar or smaller car gets into a crash with a larger car, truck or SUV, the smaller one is going to end up taking more damage.
Of course, it’s not only automotive damage that the smaller cars incur. Even though many come equipped with the latest in vehicle safety devices, they are no match for larger, stronger vehicles. In fact, the death rate in minicars was twice as high as in large cars. Driver deaths per million in vehicles that were up to three years old in 2007 were 96 for small cars, 63 for midsize cars, and 35 for very large cars. For SUV’s, that number ranged from 41-48, showing that the larger the car, on average, the safer it is in a crash.
Assessing Our Options
If you want to make a determination about what size vehicle to buy, you have many things to consider. While fuel efficiency and overall purchase price are of importance, you also need to consider the overall safety the vehicle is capable of providing. The size and weight of the vehicle is going to be a determining factor in how safe your family remains if a crash occurs. As the IIHS reports, smaller, lighter vehicles will always be at a disadvantage if they are in an accident with a larger vehicle.
Consumers do have options out there. First, consider why you are seeking a small car. If it is a matter of purchase price, consider buying at least a midsize car that may be a year or two old. You get a safer vehicle, and you save money. If it’s about gas, look for a larger car that has a good fuel efficiency rating. In addition, opting for a midsize car over a small one will give you a safety advantage.
In the end, as much as we love our small cars and all the benefits that they provide, the one thing they can’t provide is safety, especially when going up against larger vehicles.
