New Cars: Subcompact Crash Test Alert – Big car vs. little car: we all know the end to that story, and no number of fancy airbags can change the crushing advantage that size and weight get when two cars collide. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), “driver death rates in minicars are more than double the death rates in midsize and large cars.” Problem is, people like these little cars, as they’re proving to be affordable, efficient and convenient – which is why the IIHS recently crash tested these little cars. If you’re searching for a commuter car, or are buying your first new car, check these ratings before you buy. How a small car protects you in a world of large cars and SUVs means more, ultimately, than MPG or MSRP.