Most Small Cars Aren't Economical for Crash Repairs

Sept. 11 - A recenty study, released by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, showed that bumpers on many cars aren't designed to handle what should be a no-damage event.

In a series of crash tests, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently assessed how well the bumpers of 20 small car models would protect the vehicles from damage in low-speed collisions. The worst performers are the Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Prius, and Volkswagen Rabbit. The Ford Focus performed the best.

The Institute found a common problem in that the bars underneath bumper covers often aren't up to absorbing the energy. They may not be big enough to provide much protection from damage, especially if they don't extend to vehicle corners, or they may be too flimsy to absorb much energy.

To illustrate how small changes to bumper design can make a significant difference in repair costs, the Institute modified the front bumper of the Prius. The reinforcement bar and foam absorber were extended another 10 inches on the passenger side under the headlight. When the Institute tested the Prius again, the headlight and fender were undamaged and the repair cost dropped from $1,200 to $254.

"There's plenty of room under the bumper covers of most cars to make this simple change," says Institute senior vice president Joe Nolan.