What is the safest small car?

Question

I went from a 4Runner to a Corolla, I love the gas mileage (not to mention my car payment being 1/2 the cost) but I'm not feeling as safe as I used to. My concern is my 3 year old and 3 month old. I'm a die-hard Toyota owner but would consider buying something else if it were significantly safer.

Also... where can I find the safety reviews on my car? It's a 2007 Corolla Sport

Answer 1

The safest small cars, the Volkswagen Jetta and Honda Civic, are as safe or safer to their drivers than the average SUV.

On the other hand, the Chevy Cavalier, Ford Escort, and Dodge Neon are roughly twice as dangerous to their drivers as the Jetta and Civic.

http://www.safercar.gov/

Answer 2

The Smart Fortwo (spelling correct ?)

Renault Megane

Answer 3

You are used to driving a truck.  You will not FEEL save in any small car - even if they are safe.  Again I think you are talking about FEELING.  And for you nothing but another LARGE car / truck will make you feel safer.

So ask yourself, can you drive a small car and feel safe?

Good Luck...

P.S.  Many trucks (suv) are actually NOT safer as they are more prone to rollovers, etc.  It is just all perception.

Answer 4

For starters, larger vehicles don't mean safer vehicles.  The more weight you have to keep your car planted during an accident, the more force it has to absorb, therefore the higher chance there is of it absorbing enough that it collapses on you.  There's downsides to both for safety, but I feel it's easier to be aware of your surroundings in a small car which I think is the safest you can get.

    All ranting aside, safety ratings can be found at www.iihs.org  which is the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, otherwise known as the people who destroy cars over and over to rate their safety.  Have fun with the website.  The Yaris with side airbags is rated safer than both the 4Runner and the Corolla, and the 2008 Subaru Impreza got the top safety pick.

Answer 5

Smart Fortwo has an excellent safety rating, because it is made by Mercedes, but its only a 2 seater.

http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr051408.ht...

But if you stick with the German cars you`ll find that VW`s diesels all get 50mpg and are built better than the Japanese cars with their plastic interiors, thats better mpg than a Hybrid!, not to mention that a diesel engine will last 3X as long as a gas engine does.

http://www.transmitmedia.com/golfTDI/

and Jetta

http://www.stealthtdi.com/index.html

cant afford new? buy a 3 year old one, remember a diesel engine with 75,000 miles on it is like a gas engine with 25,000 miles on it.

An old mercedes will last a million miles and give you 30mpg IN town (40 on the highway), free roadside assist forever (even if the car is 20 years old and you are the 5th owner!) Safe too as they are not made out of fiberglass.

http://reviews.ebay.com/1980s-Mercedes-D...