Hi, I am thinking about buying a new 2010 Mini clubman. How safe are they in a highway crash as I live on a very dangerous highway in Texas. Does anyone have any personal experience with this?
Thanks!

 

I could only find 2008 info, but I'm sure it has at least stayed the same...

http://www.automotive.com/2008/12/mi...sts/index.html

 

In many high speed accidents, your MINI will be totaled, but you will not.

 

thanks. that's kind of scary!

 

In many high speed accidents, MOST cars will be totaled. But in a MINI, YOU won't be. The same can't be said for most cars. If you're that worried about safety on the highway, buy a Volvo or stay off the interstate. There is nothing about a MINI that makes driving any scarier than any other car, and the way it handles, it makes it a lot less scary.

 

And in many others, your MINI will be totaled and you will die. Head on with an F150, for example.

 

What is this based on? Personal experience?

The vast majority of highway accidents (which the OP asked about) are not head on anyway.

 

Umm, I don't know what highways you drive on, but all the ones I've ever been on either have jersey barriers, guard rails, or a wide median between the oncoming lanes. Head on collisions rarely happen on the highway.

You also forgot to mention that the driver of a MINI has a low chance of survival in the event of a head on collision with a 18-wheeler carrying a full load also.

 

I've never understood why people buy a car to crash it.

Buy car a based on how it helps you to avoid a crash, not how it survives one.

 

Because not every accident in avoidable. Although it is nice to be able to avoid the ones you see coming. Its also nice to know that when the drunk driver slams into you, that you'll be able to survive.

 

Of course. But by that mentality, we should all be driving enormous SUVs, as the extra weight means that the other guy gets killed and not you. However, that's part of what got us into this mess in the first place.

 

I should add that it's the *perception* of safety that drove so many people to huge SUVs. Not that they are actually safer.

 

Keyword there is "perception." Just because the SUV drivers don't read up on full safety facts on their vehicle doesn't mean that no one does. Our MINIs are VERY safe. So much so that I received a discount on my insurance when I got into my 1st MINI. Even though it was a 6 year newer car, and a much more valuable car. (Went from 97' Jetta to 03' MINI.)

 

I know they are--it's part of the reason why I have one.

I just dislike the whole mentality of buying a car because it's safer in a crash. While it's important, there should be more to it, and it drives me nuts that so many people in North America, equate small with unsafe.

 

Just to see what I would find, I did a Google Search for 2009 MINI Cooper Crash Test...
http://www.automobilemag.com/am/2009...ash_tests.html

 

I hate the "if you want to be safe drive a big SUV..." it's total crap. I'm sure I'll get flamed, but look at this example of a Mini and tahoe in an accident. obviously not a highway, but still http://jalopnik.com/5096933/chevy-ta...per-pays-price

each accident is unique and most of the time, unpredictable. The car gets great crash safety ratings and is unlikely to flip over. Don't judge it by it's size, it's a strong car build to go, and to get hit.

 

Yes. I gave one example. There are many. I drive a Mini 80 miles a day on the highway. I don't kid myself that I will be safe in a direct collision with the average sized vehicle on the road. I do feel that it is as safe as it can be, given its relatively small mass. Best you can do is drive to avoid collisions and, even then, they will happen.

 

 

 

I can't find the rating explanation. Is the HIC rating good? No scale. Where did I miss it?

 

Click on the "Read more" icon at the top right.

 

The Insurance Institute For Highway Safety has slightly more realistic tests.
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/ratingsbyseries.aspx?id=303

They use a moving sled (like an SUV) for side crash tests.

The Mini does pretty well for vehicles in its weight class. Unfortunately, you can't cheat physics. In a crash with a much more massive vehicle, the Mini will lose.
The Mini does do well in side crash and is very roll-over resistant.

 

I agree you can't escape physics. The MINI shows its BMW roots when it comes to safety. Weight does matter to some extent so the MINI is designed carefully to absorb the energy and use airbags to protect the occupants as best as it can. The engine and transmission pivot down to minimize entry into the passenger compartment. When you close the door on a MINI you can feel the mass and hear the BMW "clunk". Consumer Reports recommends the new MINI's and they don't do so unless a car meets certain reliability standards and safety standards.

I was amazed the first time I dove my MINI on the interstate with semis all around. The MINI is as stable as my BMW 3 series. I feel very safe and the MINI is able to outbrake and steer its way out of many potentially dangerous situations.

There are no total guarantees in life but I researched the safety questions and certianly don't feel that I am being irresponsible to my family by choosing a MINI as my car.

 

When I test drove a Mini I wasn't thinking about safety until I closed the driver's side door, I really noticed the mass and heft of the door. It really surprised (and impressed) me. I'm used to my wife's Scion Xa...it doesn't have that kind of feel at all.

Here's a link to the Consumer Reports you mentioned. http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/c...KEY=%20I95BCE0

 

I see it did a bit better than R53