Small cars get five stars in crash

The latest round of official crash tests has given five-star occupant protection ratings to some of the most fuel-frugal small cars sold in Australia, the Mini Cooper diesel, the Ford Fiesta ECOnetic diesel, the Volvo C30 diesel and the Toyota Prius hybrid.

On the Global Green Challenge, a 3150km drive from Darwin to Adelaide and with driving in Adelaide last month, the Ford Fiesta ECOnetic averaged just 3.13 litres/100km fuel consumption and the Mini diesel was not far behind.  Transport Department director of road safety, Martin Small, said yesterday (Tuesday 17) the crash test results showed that new-car buyers could save fuel and still get five-star safety.

"These ratings show that manufacturers can make a range of fuel efficient vehicles which do not compromise safety," Mr Small said.  Other vehicles to score five stars in these tests are the new Subaru Liberty Exiga and the latest Hyundai Sante Fe with four-cylinder engine.  The only car in this round of tests not to get the full five stars is the Honda City sedan which managed four stars.

RAA (SA) technical services manager Mark Borlace said this was because that model Honda did not have electronic stability control, a requirement since 2008 before five stars could be awarded.  "It makes the lack of ESC for the Honda City disappointing," Mr Borlace said.

"All of these five-star models include head-protecting side airbags or curtains, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution and electronic stability control as standard," he said. "And it is pleasing to see the results apply to all models in the various ranges, not just luxury-specified vehicles."

In separate testing for pedestrian protection, the Honda City, Subaru Exiga and Fiesta achieved three out of a maximum four stars. The upgraded Sante Fe, previously scoring zero, this time got one star.