Safety is a top priority for car buyers, and with advancements in technology, small cars are now equipped with more advanced safety features than ever before.
From passive safety technologies to structural enhancements and safety assist systems like autonomous emergency braking (AEB), small cars and compact SUVs in New Zealand provide safe and value for money transportation options for drivers and passengers alike.
Let's delve into the details and understand what makes up the best and safest small car!
Small car safety myths
There’s a common misconception that small vehicles are less safe than larger ones due to their size and weight.
However, this perception is not completely accurate. Modern, newer small cars and compact SUVs are often equipped with just as many advanced safety features as their larger counterparts.
Small vehicles like those in the Suzuki range, are designed with innovative safety technologies and engineering techniques, such as high-strength materials and reinforced cabin structures, to provide optimal crash protection for occupants. Additionally, autonomous safety assist technologies like blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane keep assist, further enhance the safety of small cars on the road.
On the other hand, drivers of larger cars may perceive they are ‘safer’ because of their size, and become looser and unsafe with their driving behaviours, such as adopting less cautious hand positions on the steering wheel.
There is also the unspoken risk that with more and more drivers opting for larger vehicles under the guise of personal safety, they may be inadvertently compromising the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and other road users as they can cause more damage on impact than a smaller car.
Small car safety technology explained
Small cars, including those made by manufacturers specialising in small cars like Suzuki, prioritise driver, passenger and pedestrian safety. They continuously update, develop and include advanced safety features in the new vehicles they release. These features help make them a reliable choice for safety-conscious drivers, as well as providing even more affordable options for a new car.
Here are some of the top safety features explained:
Passive safety features
When looking for a safe small car, check to ensure they come equipped with passive or safety features that automatically activate during an accident if required and go a long way to minimising injury and saving lives. These features include ELR seat belts, with pretensioners and force limiters, as well as a minimum of six airbags - front, side, and curtain.
Structural safety features
Small cars are also designed to maintain their cabin shape during a collision, as well as tested and manufactured with high-strength materials to enhance their structural integrity on impact. For example, Suzuki's HEARTECT next-generation platform, strengthened cabin structures and crumple zones are designed to protect drivers and passengers in the event of a crash, ensuring maximum safety.
Safety assist technology
Despite their size, the latest small cars now include many autonomous or semi-autonomous safety assist systems that help drivers avoid accidents or mitigate the severity of a collision. These safety features can actively assist you when you are driving by providing visual and audio warnings, or altering the car’s performance when it detects a potential accident.
These include:
- AEB or Dual Sensor Brake Support – extra braking assist or automatic braking if an impact looks likely,
- blind spot monitoring – handy for changing lanes on a motorway or overtaking on a passing lane,
- rear cross-traffic alert – for letting you know when a vehicle is coming when reversing out of a busy carpark,
- lane keep assist – assistance to keep you in your lane and prevent drifting,
- adaptive cruise control (ACC) – to for maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles and reduce driver fatigue,
- traffic sign recognition and speed limiter – perfect for staying under the speed limit,
- reverse camera and parking sensors – helpful for reversing or navigating tight parking spots.
- automatic headlamps and high beam assist – assistance in making sure you are visible to other driver’s on the road and that your lights are adjusting for other drivers.
Hands-free smartphone connectivity
These days nearly everyone has a mobile phone, so ensuring your car has the ability to connect to your phone, means you can operate your phone legally and safely. Small cars often come with hands-free smartphone connectivity options, such as Bluetooth or Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, allowing drivers to
call, play music and access Google or Apple Maps for navigation, while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. By connecting your phone, you reduce the risk of distractions from phone use.
International safety standards
There are two internationally recognised and independent crash test and safety rating authorities for vehicles in our market – Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Program) and ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program). They use a series of rigorous testing procedures and standards to evaluate a vehicle's crashworthiness, occupant protection, impact on pedestrian and other road users, and safety assist technologies.
As new technology and materials improve over time, the standards to achieve a 5 star safety rating increase, generally resulting in newer cars being safer than older ones. A rating can last up to 7 years, so it pays to still check what specifications the car you are looking to buy includes.
Sometimes the vehicles sold in New Zealand offer different safety specifications than those that are tested and rated, or the car has not been tested at all, so again it is important to review the body design and safety equipment level.
Checking for features such as airbags, stability control, and other safety technologies can provide insights into the overall safety of the car you’re looking at.
Wrap up
With continual advancements in safety technology, a new small car or compact SUV can provide peace of mind and protection for drivers and passengers alike. So, when it comes to choosing a car remember to check the safety specs, and pick the safest car you can afford.
If you’re ready to go, but aren’t quite sure which one suits you best, take a look at our Guide to Buying a New Car to find a small car that works for your lifestyle!
