Watch Out Because Some Small SUV’s Flunk Safety Test

I drive an SUV.  I love the space, room to haul things and yet be comfortable at the same time.  Mine is a bit larger than the smaller models, the "crossovers" as they're called, and I think I'm glad, because five small crossovers flunked the new small overlap crash test.

Our news partner, WZZM TV13, in conjunction with USA Today, reported the Subaru Forester was the only one of 13 small crossover SUVs to earn an overall rating of good in the test, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport got an acceptable rating.

Rated marginal were the Nissan Rogue, Mazda CX-5, Honda CR-V, Jeep Wrangler and Volkswagen Tiguan.

Five small crossovers were rated poor included the Ford Escape, Jeep Patriot, Buick Encore, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.

The small overlap test is meant to replicate what happens when a vehicle runs into a pole or other narrow thin object at the left or right edge.

So, when shopping for your next car, check out the safety ratings before you buy.  Keep your family safe!