Filed under: Safety, Hatchback, Fiat
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We hear it all the time when we’re out test-driving any of the current crop of subcompacts: “Is that little car safe?” Well, if it’s a Fiat 500, our answer should be affirmative, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The venerable independent testing agency has issued a Top Safety Pick award to the diminutive Italian cutemobile, which joins the Ford Fiesta as the only minicars to earn such praise.
The only caveat is that IIHS has specifically excluded 500’s that were built before August 2011. According to the group, the driver’s seat structure was modified to improve safety, and those cars without the improved seat were judged only “marginal” in the frontal offset test. The new seats help the 500 to score “Good” in that test, a rating the car also achieved in side impact tests and roof strength.
Fiat sales have been slow in the U.S., so perhaps this news might help Chrysler turn things around. At the very least, it will give owners a good answer to “What’s going to happen if I hit you with my F-150?”
Crash test videos after the jump.Continue reading Tiny Fiat 500 earns IIHS Top Safety Pick [w/video]
Tiny Fiat 500 earns IIHS Top Safety Pick [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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