What crash ratings did the MINIs get from NHTSA (or whoever does them)

 

The mini did very well in the crash tests. Look at this link
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/NCAP/Cars/1932.html

 

Rating: Fun


yea, still fun when crashing

 

That's great. The one concern I hear voiced from people commenting on the car is how safe it is, being as small as it is. I was glad side air bags were a feature and glad to see the ratings. Thanks

 

the NHTSA crash test is only so-so. It doesn't represent a realistic crash. All of the front of the car hits the barrier and it is only going 35mph and the side impact the hit is at a 90 degree angle to the car. The IIHS is much better, only 40% of the front of the car hits the barrier at 40mph and side impacts are done with the crash barrier moving at an angle (watch a video to see what I am saying at http://www.progressive.com/rc/VSafet...ash_videos.asp ) anyways here is the iihs link for the mini, http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/0222.htm

 

You posted that you just got your MCS? So it's too late for you anyway. It's a MINI tradition to drive safely.

 

Now, if the Excusion, Expedition, Tahoe, H2, Escalade etc. drivers would adopt the same tradition everything would be great

 

EVEN BETTER news! Thanks

 

 

This is one of the questions I get a lot.

How does that little thing do in a wreck?

or

Man you aren't gonna make it in a wreck.

I usually reply, "well it got 4 to 5 star crash ratings and I don't plan on getting in a wreck."

The MINI is so agile that I think by driving defensively you can avoid more accidents then the average car can.

 

There is another website with MINI crash test results here:

www.hwysafety.org

 

Great thread, thanks for all of the links and info.

 

I get that too, we probably all do. Where is it written that just because it is small it is not safe? If you go down the path that "bigger is safer", there will always be a bigger vehicle. So then if you want to be "safe" then you had better get a bigger vehicle too.

That mentality isn't about safety, that's an arms race.....

rant off

 

Well maybe not an arms race,but an appendage is involved

 

I am a car fanatic and I love looking at crash test and real crashes (sounds bad but hey if someone crashed and has a pic or video, why not look at it ) . Anyways the MINI does get good crash test results but really that means that is does good crashing against a car of similar weight (since in the crash test, the force (mass x accel) is proportional to the momentum of the crash vehicle).

The truth is that a MINI WILL NOT fair well in a direct impact with a heavy SUV. It is simple laws of physics. So I just try to avoid crashes myself or at the very least avoid head on impacts with big vehicles. I know this is going to get this tread going....I'm ready

 

Has anyone seen the video of a side inpact taken from inside? I know a saw one a while ago but have tried a few times to find it again and never have. It illustrates the side impact, the seatbelt pretensioning, an the side airbags going off very well.