Study finds nine models with zero driver fatalities
01-31-15, 05:13 PM
#16
Pole Position
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What's the more sexy statistic: 0-60 mph of 4.0 secs, or 0 deaths per million vehicles? Just from casual perusing of the top auto websites, the answer is obvious. For example, I just checked Car and Driver's ranking of midsize luxury crossovers. The usual suspects hold the top 9 spots, headed by the Porsche Macan (followed by a bevy of German cars and some British makes mixed in). At the number 10 spot and the only non-European make is the Lexus RX 350. But according to this IIHS report, a different ranking should have been reported by Car and Driver. Indeed, CD can't even be bothered to report this important IIHS press release anywhere in its website.
Last edited by gyrase321; 01-31-15 at 05:38 PM.
01-31-15, 05:19 PM
#17
Lexus Fanatic
(Sometimes) those attempting to DO 0-60 in 4 seconds simply add to the total of deaths per million miles.
01-31-15, 07:12 PM
#19
Interesting that the Smart-for-Two and Scion iQ aren't in the Top Ten. True, the iQ has had very low sales, and (perhaps) not enough of a data-base to have any meaningful data. But the Smart has been on the market for several years, and should have a substantial database by now. And, of course, it goes without saying that these two vehicles are so small that, even with up to date Federally-required safety gear on them, in real-world crashes with larger vehicles, these two vehicles (and their occupants) are likely to come out on the short end.
I am somewhat surprised to see the chevy truck listed. Is it because of number sold? Or is it a death trap?
01-31-15, 08:18 PM
#20
Lexus Fanatic
In general, yes.....but vast differences in vehicle size and weight (such as, say, between a Smart and a Chevy Suburban) can cause injuries or fatalities in a small car even if the impact is not all that severe.
The Scion iQ has not sold well anywhere, but the Smart for Two is fairly common here in the D.C. area, which includes a Beltway and Interstate Highways 95 and 66.
I have never seen either of those on the highway.
01-31-15, 09:01 PM
#22
Lexus Test Driver
Give me ONE benefit to having this car. Prior to buying a car I always ask "would I put my kid in it?" Smart car? No is my answer.
01-31-15, 09:21 PM
#23
Lexus Champion
I always see them in the highway here and leaves me scratching my head. What's the appeal? Mpg? No, other cars can match or exceed it. Safety? No better cars out there. Price? No, one can get an Honda civic, accord in some cases, Toyota corrola, Mazda etc for the same price.
Give me ONE benefit to having this car. Prior to buying a car I always ask "would I put my kid in it?" Smart car? No is my answer.
Give me ONE benefit to having this car. Prior to buying a car I always ask "would I put my kid in it?" Smart car? No is my answer.
01-31-15, 09:21 PM
#24
^ Camaro being high on the fatality list doesn't surprise me. Especially for how cheap you can buy 4th gen LS1 V8 Camaros now days. 3-5k will buy you a good, high mile runner that might look kind of rough. This is a car that will do 160mph, 0-60 in under 5 seconds, and run a low 13 second quarter mile at 104+mph. It takes a judicious right foot to put all that power down too, as you can easily smoke the tires all the way through 1st and part of 2nd. Run bald tires or put your foot down in the rain, you will die.
Really the entry barrier for young guys on that car isn't the price, its the insurance premiums.
Really the entry barrier for young guys on that car isn't the price, its the insurance premiums.
02-01-15, 03:43 AM
#25
Lexus Fanatic
True, but there are a surprising number of new-car buyers who have little or no idea what they're doing. Anyone, though, it seems, with a normal mind, who has had primary or secondary school and even the most rudimentary introduction to physics, should be able to put a simple 2 and 2 together and see that a major impact in a Smart-for-Two with a larger vehicle, even with its hyped Mercedes safety-engineering, is not going to be good news.
02-01-15, 03:47 AM
#26
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by Aron9000
Really the entry barrier for young guys on that car isn't the price, its the insurance premiums.
02-01-15, 06:04 AM
#27
is this a true statement for single-car crashes versus immovable guardrail or tree?
02-01-15, 09:12 AM
#28
Lexus Fanatic
yes many factors at play. i noticed that most of the 'less deaths' list were suv/cuvs and many on the 'more deaths' list were tiny econoboxes. for years it's been debated it tiny cars are less safe simply because there's less vehicle between the occupants and the outside to absorb impacts.
but the suv/cuv finding doesn't necessarily make them safe (although i think they are), it might also indicate people driving those types of vehicles just tend to drive less aggressively and more cautiously/defensively.
i'd say overall it's the DRIVERS of the vehicles that are the biggest factor.
but the suv/cuv finding doesn't necessarily make them safe (although i think they are), it might also indicate people driving those types of vehicles just tend to drive less aggressively and more cautiously/defensively.
i'd say overall it's the DRIVERS of the vehicles that are the biggest factor.
The first list of supposed safe cars are lower volume cars, a Sequoia/Hybrid Highlander/Odyssey sell nowhere near the volume levels of the Ford Focus or Chevy 1500. So the chances will be greater in the smaller cars which obviously sell in higher volumes.
02-01-15, 09:41 AM
#29
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
If that were the case, then V8 Mustangs would probably be on top. Though not all my any means, as a group, they have more classic idiots behind the wheel than just about any other single vehicle model I've seen. I've seen (or heard about) many teens and young adults injured or killed in them while drag-racing.
and i don't see them driving recklessly at all.
The first list of supposed safe cars are lower volume cars, a Sequoia/Hybrid Highlander/Odyssey sell nowhere near the volume levels of the Ford Focus or Chevy 1500. So the chances will be greater in the smaller cars which obviously sell in higher volumes.
the rates are calculated relative to the same volume regardless of sales. see the full article on yahoo.
02-01-15, 10:58 AM
#30
Lexus Fanatic
