Honda Fit
04-07-2007, 06:05 PM
#23
Registered User
Originally Posted by bloodzombie,Apr 7 2007, 05:53 PM
The fit gets great crash test ratings, I don't really understand why people automatically feel safer in a heavier car.
The Gov can't come out and say small cars are less safe than large cars so they have crash tests 5-star which only reflects safety within the weight class.
Model-to-model comparisons of frontal crash-test ratings are valid only within a vehicle class or between models of comparable weight (within 250 pounds). The test reflects how the vehicle would fare in a collision with another of the same model, and not versus a larger or smaller vehicle (or a lower- or higher-riding vehicle). A heavier vehicle would protect its occupants better than a lighter one if all other factors were equal, but they never are.
quote from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety "No matter what you do, you cannot repeal the laws of physics," institute spokesman Russ Rader said. "A larger, heavier vehicle is always going to be safer than a smaller, lighter vehicle. If you're looking at small cars vs. larger cars, small cars have twice as many occupant deaths as large cars."
Rader said statistics indicate death rates go down as vehicle weight goes up, especially in single- and two-vehicle crashes.
Rader said statistics indicate death rates go down as vehicle weight goes up, especially in single- and two-vehicle crashes.
In two-car collisions, the occupants of the lighter car are at greater risk than the occupants of the heavier vehicle...occupant fatality rates do generally decline as weight increases, with the largest cars providing the most protection.
Weight Class - Statistics show that if two vehicles with the same NHTSA full frontal rating crash into each other head on, but one vehicle weighs twice as much as the other,[COLOR=red] the occupants of the lighter one (2000 lbs) are eight times more likely to be killed than the occupants of the heavier vehicle (4000 lbs).
04-07-2007, 06:19 PM
#24
Registered User
My point is that 2400 lb cars are not as safe as 3400 lb cars or 4400 lb minivans. Thats beyond a doubt.
My Legacy has as good crash tests as a Fit and as many airbags, and it weighs 1000 lbs more and is 30 inches longer (and 2 inches wider). I know the Fit gets better gas mileage (that's not a debate) and I know the Legacy is safer (thats also not a debate).
If every other car on the road was a Fit or Mini or S2000 or Elise (etc..) the Fit would be great. but the average car/truck weight is close to 4000 lbs so the Fit 95% is going to be the lightest car in the area.
My Legacy has as good crash tests as a Fit and as many airbags, and it weighs 1000 lbs more and is 30 inches longer (and 2 inches wider). I know the Fit gets better gas mileage (that's not a debate) and I know the Legacy is safer (thats also not a debate).
If every other car on the road was a Fit or Mini or S2000 or Elise (etc..) the Fit would be great. but the average car/truck weight is close to 4000 lbs so the Fit 95% is going to be the lightest car in the area.
04-07-2007, 09:54 PM
#25
Although the side impact tests are done with a fixed weight moving barrier.
It's the front collision to a immovable barrier that really only takes the vehicle weight into the equation.
It's the front collision to a immovable barrier that really only takes the vehicle weight into the equation.
04-07-2007, 09:59 PM
#26
Moderator
Originally Posted by bloodzombie,Apr 7 2007, 09:53 PM
The fit gets great crash test ratings, I don't really understand why people automatically feel safer in a heavier car.
I don't think people think about the ability to avoid accidents with such things as a lower center of gravity, better handling, better braking, etc. They just think about being able to survive a crash by being in a bigger box as the tumble around.
04-08-2007, 05:24 AM
#27
Registered User
[QUOTE=Saki GT,Apr 7 2007, 09:59 PM] I don't think people think about the ability to avoid accidents with such things as a lower center of gravity, better handling, better braking, etc.
04-08-2007, 06:22 AM
#29
Originally Posted by rai,Apr 8 2007, 05:24 AM
This is true when you consider a SUV or PU-Truck which are actually less safe than many cars because they roll easily and also have poor accident avoidance.
