Least Safe 2009 & 2010 Cars To Drive

Published: Mon 23 Nov 2009

Lucas Eichmann

When shopping for new cars, safety often is at the bottom of the list when buyers are considering colors and options. Based on the results of crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, safety should climb higher for some shoppers.

The Institute determines a vehicle's crashworthiness-how well it protects its occupants in a crash. Each vehicle tested gets a rating of good, acceptable, marginal or poor based on how it performs in high-speed front and side crash tests and a rollover test. There also are evaluations of seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impacts.

It's worth noting that there aren't "death traps" rolling down the nation's highways. Regulations over the years have made vehicle-safety paramount even if drivers are more concerned whether it comes in red. Vehicles deemed unsafe never make it past the factory gates.

Some vehicles are less safe than others but otherwise can be considered safe overall. Larger vehicles still have the advantage. For example, a large sedan with average safety ratings could beat a small minicar that received excellent marks.

Of the 145 models listed by the Institute, those considered less safe earned as few as one "poor" rating. Many of the worst performers were models that are due for phasing out or updating by their manufacturers.

The following vehicles rated "poor" in the corresponding tests:

• Minicars: 2009 Chevrolet Aveo (hit from the rear); 2009 Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio (hit from the side or from the rear)
• Small: 2009 Volkswagen New Beetle (hit from the side); 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser (hit from the side or the rear)
• Large Luxury: 2010 Infiniti M35/M45 (hit from the rear); 2010 Cadillac STS (hit from the rear)
• Small SUV: 2010 Ford Escape hybrid, Mercury Mariner hybrid and Mazda Tribute hybrid (in a rollover); 2009 Hyundai Tucson (in a rollover); 2010 Jeep Wrangler (hit from the side)
• Midsize SUV: 2009 Hummer H3 (hit from the rear); 2009 Kia Sorento (hit from the side)
• Minivan: 2009 Nissan Quest (hit from the rear); 2010 Toyota Sienna (hit from the rear)

How a vehicle is struck or whether it rolls over during testing indicates a number of potential problems. Side crash tests are good indicators of how occupants would be protected if vehicles are hit in the side by SUVs or pickups. Rear crash protection/head restraint ratings reflect how well seat/head restraint combinations prevent whiplash injury. Rollover ratings are evaluations of how vehicle roof strength would offer protection in rollovers.