Topic: IIHS Crash Test results of Compacts

[Bullet Blue]

Nissan Versa gets top marks:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/19/automobiles/19auto.html?_r=1&ref=business&oref=slogin

[Cord]

From the NY Times article:

...according to the results of new tests simulating crashes with sport utility vehicles or pickup trucks.

From iihs.org:

The barrier's deformable face is made of aluminum honeycomb, which makes the forces in the test similar to those involved in a frontal offset crash between two vehicles of the same weight, each going just less than 40 mph. Test results can be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.

(emphasis added)

The article is written so poorly it's hard to tell if the author is trying to spin his story to discredit SUVs or subcompact cars. Probably both. 

[Mitlov]

Side air bags are not available on the Toyota Scion xB wagon, which was one of the lowest-rated subcompacts, with a score of “poor” in side testing and “marginal” in the rear.

I'm surprised that the Scion xB doesn't offer side airbags.  That's pretty unacceptable in today's market, if you ask me.