Downsizing doesn't have to mean disaster when choosing a smaller car. So says the compact testing team at the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety).  With their stringent testing that includes rollovers and front-end collisions involving test dummies, they don’t squander their allotment of high ratings. What they did find that in 2012, there were simply more small cars that were safer, thanks to improved technologies and manufacturing practices. If you’re in the market for a smaller vehicle, you’ll have plenty of options.

The IIHS, based in Virginia, operates with funding from the nation’s auto insurers. In addition to standard criteria from years past, they also operated with new federal guidelines that required vehicles to have “electronic stability control.” They test several groups including minis, large pickups, and mid-size luxury cars. You should note that there weren’t any small pickups that passed testing, although larger models made a healthy showing. Of course, for those thinking about smaller cars, safety features become even more critical.

Fortunately, shoppers and tire-kickers will have plenty of options in the coming months with all top manufacturers finding a spot worth a mention. Multi-model winners included Chevy (Cruze, Sonic, Volt), Honda (4-Door Civic, CR-Z, Insight), Nissan (Cube, Juke, Leaf), and Scion (tC, xB, xD). That’s just a start in the Small Car category, which was the largest by far. If you’re itching for a mini, you’ll find choices from Fiat, Ford, Honda, and Toyota. You can see a complete list of all categories here.

Whether you’re purchasing for yourself or for a new teen driver, it’s good to know you have options for enhancing safety on the road. With all the craziness out there, we need all the help we can get.

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