Is Bigger Really Better? (When it comes to vehicle safety�)

When answering that question our common sense might lead us to the wrong conclusion. European countries have long understood that small cars make more sense than big ones, and that smaller gas bills mean more extras (rims, turbo, racing seats, etc.). Why is the US lagging behind still?

I�m willing to bet my yearly income (which isn�t much) that if you photograph the cars on one of the busiest highways you�ll see that almost none carry more than two passengers. Why then do US residents insist on buying the biggest car in the lot? Why are SUVs sold every second in the land of the free? And how can it be the home of the brave if no one dares to buy a smaller car?

Bigger is safer, you might say, and I don�t blame you. Driving between two Hummers in a smart can make even a man with the biggest ego feel small.

Luckily, we have two organizations that test vehicle safety and answer that question on a daily basis � The Euro NCAP - www.euroncap.com
And its distant cousin, the NHTSA - www.safercar.gov
Personally, I can�t be bothered reading the US version because it doesn�t have pretty pictures like the NCAP. Also, they have this �rollover� criteria which favors 4x4s over FWD even though we�ve all seen more SUVs on their backs than any other 4 wheeled transportation.
Nevertheless, there are similarities; the 2007 Toyota Corolla received a 5 star rating on both and it�s not exactly a big car.

For lack of small cars in the US market I will list a few tested by the NCAP, all of which have a 5 star rating. If you care to browse the site yourself, you will struggle to find a small car made after 2005 with a lower rating than 4 stars (don�t even try to fish out a Chinese car, we all know they�re rubbish).
 Fiat Punto (2005) � www.euroncap.com/tests/fiat_punto_2005/238.aspx
 Opel Corsa (2006) � www.euroncap.com/tests/opel_vauxhall_corsa_2006/261.aspx
 Peugeot 207 (2006) � www.euroncap.com/tests/peugeot_207_2006/251.aspx
 BMW Mini (2007) � www.euroncap.com/tests/bmw_mini_2007/288.aspx

Now for a list of Large 4x4s tested by the NCAP and relevant to the US market:
 Jeep Grand Cherokee (2005) - www.euroncap.com/tests/jeep_grand_cherokee_2005/239.aspx
 Land Rover Discovery (2006) - www.euroncap.com/tests/land_rover_discovery_2006/259.aspx
 Nissan Pathfinder (2006) - www.euroncap.com/tests/nissan_pathfinder_2006/254.aspx
 Audi Q7 (2006) - www.euroncap.com/tests/audi_q7_2006/262.aspx
4 Stars across the board.

Large MPVs relevant to the US market:
 Chrysler Voyager (2007) � 1 Star - www.euroncap.com/tests/chrysler_voyager_2007/277.aspx

Smaller cars are becoming safer. The main reason is that all technological efforts are being directed towards changing our natural perception that bigger is safer.
So next time you buy a new car maybe you should:
1. Do yourselves a favor; buy smaller cars and save money on gas.
2. Do us all a favor; buy smaller cars and keep the air we breathe cleaner.
3. Do politics a favor; buy smaller cars to reduce the influence of Middle Eastern oil dictators.