The MINI Cooper Countryman is the only small car to receive a good rating in the crash tests. The IIHS performed its newer “small overlap” test on 12 small cars.
IIHS says that the Countryman’s “safety cage held up reasonably well” and that its airbags prevented the test dummy from moving around the cabin too much.
IIHS also says the risk of serious injury to occupants would’ve been low. Since the Countryman scored a “good” rating on the IIHS’ four other crash tests, it has received the honor of being an IIHS Top Safety Pick.
Other models that received an “acceptable” rating include the Chevrolet Volt and Ford C-Max Hybrid, Mitsubishi Lancer, and Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ, all of which are Top Safety Picks from the IIHS.
“Marginal” performers include the quirky and popular Hyundai Veloster, and the aging Scion xB.
