I am looking for a small car and , I must admit , after around 4-5 months of search , reading reviews I have finalized on Skoda Rapid Spaceback (Honda HRV being the second contender)  that fits my requirement. But there are still some facts that worry me and would require your help in clarifying those :

 

Queries

1)      In an effort to improve mileage most of the cars have been made light weight. Skoda Rapid spaceback is around 1100 Kgs only. But doesn’t it affect the safety of the passengers. Mass is directly proportional to acceleration(force) and in case of impact with a higher mass car passengers in my car will suffer more impact which can lead more serious injuries. Also law of inertia plays a role in it. Does anyone can offer any counter arguments to it as to how Spaceback can help me in such scenarios.

 

2)      I couldn’t find any information about the structural design of the Rapid Spaceback. (I just got a brief overview on Skoda’s Australian website). I believe structure is your prime shield that prevents you while you are in car, technology comes afterwards. Please can you throw some light this car’s structural design and how it is suited to absorb the tension in case of impact. Also a word about the car’s central of gravity placement will also be helpful. (CoG plays a great role in car’s stability).

 

3)      I found that safety related technology instruments are less in Rapid Spaceback as compared to competitors. Comments !!

 

I already own a 10 year old, Honda Jazz and it feels quite unstable in heavy winds or driving at high speeds. Don't want to get the same experience with my new car so worried.

 

I have tried to contact various persons in Skoda but got no reply, so sharing my concerns in this forum.

 

 

 

Have a look here 

 

http://www.euroncap.com/en/results/skoda/rapid/10948

 

The Rapid is a very safe car (5 * Euro ECAP rating, 94% adult occupancy rating)

 

The HRV although also 5*, is actually only awarded 86% adult occupancy

 

http://www.euroncap.com/en/results/honda/hr-v/21486

 

 

Both compared to your 10 year old Jazz will be safer in a crash.

Edited 1 July, 20169 yr by softscoop

Also, have a watch of this. Just because a car is lighter, doesn't mean it's worse in a crash.

 

1) Nothing you can do about weight, the velocity change will be greater the lighter your car is when hitting another moving object - that's just physics.

 

2) I doubt Skoda will give out any specifics about how the monocoque is formed, it did score 5 stars in NCAP which is one better than your Honda Jazz.

- 2004 Jazz: http://www.euroncap.com/en/ratings-rewards/latest-safety-ratings/en/results/honda/jazz/15641

- 2012 Rapid: http://www.euroncap.com/en/results/skoda/rapid/10948

 

3) If your sole ambition is the safest car, then buy something else. The rapid is perfectly adequate but there is always room for improvement. NCAP's 'best in class' can be found here: http://www.euroncap.com/en/ratings-rewards/best-in-class-cars/2015/

 

The rapid is less boxy and lower than a Jazz which will help in windy conditions. Take one for a test drive and see how it feels at 'high speed' as it's be down to your perception rather than anyone else's.

 

At the end of the day, any form of car crash is going to suck. Most modern cars do a pretty good job of protection so it's down to how much you want to spend and what ticks boxes in other areas.

Thanks for understanding and replying to my concerns.

 

I agree with the video but here is another piece of information that contradict the video: http://www.iihs.org/iihs/news/desktopnews/new-crash-tests-demonstrate-the-influence-of-vehicle-size-and-weight-on-safety-in-crashes-results-are-relevant-to-fuel-economy-policies. Its from IIHS so should be credible.

 

Also Euro NCAP ratings are based on crash test involving similar type of cars (mini vs mini etc) or tests involving stating object which rarely happens in real world. So , I do trust them but with a pinch of salt.

More links :

 

http://gearpatrol.com/2014/09/08/why-heavier-cars-are-safer/

 

http://phys.org/news/2015-05-heavier-pricier-vehicles-safer.html