The 2016 Fiat 500X has earned the Top Safety Pick + award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The grueling IIHS testing simulates both a 40 MPH front moderate and small-overlap impact, a 31 MPH side impact, a roof-crush consistent with a rollover, and a 20 MPH rear collision capable of causing a whiplash injury. The Fiat 500X achieved the highest possible rating in all five tests which qualify it as a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. Additionally, the 500X received the rating of "advanced" under the Front Crash Prevention test and wins the Top Safety Pick + award.
Starting in 2013, the IIHS began the Front Crash Prevention test that evaluates the performance of forward collision warning and autobrake systems for cars equipped with the technology. Ratings are determined by how they perform in tests at 12 and 25 mph. There are three rating levels - superior, advanced and basic. Cars that have earned a Top Safety Pick and a forward crash prevention system with a superior or advanced rating are awarded the Top Safety Pick + designation. The 500X with the available Forward Collision Warning-Plus system earned an advanced rating, just missing the superior level by one point.
Forward Collision Warning-Plus uses camera and radar technologies to determine if a frontal collision is about to occur. The system will first alert the driver with audible and visual warnings. If these are ignored, the system will apply the brakes to slow the car down. Forward Collision Warning-Plus is available on 500X Easy trim levels and above, starting at $28,600. Scott Kunselman, Senior Vice President – Vehicle Safety and Regulatory Compliance for FCA is quoted saying:
“Delivering such features for less than $30,000 in a vehicle segment not known for such sophistication is clear evidence of our commitment to the democratization of advanced safety technology”.
This is nothing new for Fiat, though. Early in the 1960s Fiat took a leading role in pioneering safety advances in its market segment. Back then, safety features like controlled collapsibility and rigid passenger compartments were rare and only available on expensive cars. Fiat brought these innovations to the mainstream market, and by 1969, all Fiat passenger car bodies were able to maintain a minimum crash survival space for their occupants in any impact situation at any speed up to 30mph.*
Fiat's current lineup has also stacked up impressive crash test ratings. Tested by Euro NCAP, the organization that assesses the safety performance of cars sold in Europe, the 500 was the first car of its size ever to achieve a 5-star crash test rating. The 500L also has a 5-star rating and is ranked best in its class. The 500X has earned similar results. Here in the US, the 2012 Fiat 500 and 2014 500L were both named IIHS Top Safety Picks. It is good to see 500X carrying on the tradition.
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Fiat 500X IIHS Crash Test Summery
Moderate Overlap Front Impact Test at 40 MPH
- Overall evaluation GOOD
- Structure and safety cage GOOD
- Head/neck GOOD
- Chest GOOD
- Leg/foot, left GOOD
- Leg/foot, right ACCEPTABLE
- Restraints and dummy kinematics GOOD
Restraints and Dummy Kinematics
Dummy movement was well controlled. After the dummy moved forward into the frontal airbag, it rebounded into the seat without its head coming close to any stiff structure that could cause injury.
Injury Measures
Measures taken from the head, neck, and chest indicate low risk of injuries to these body regions in a crash of this severity. Forces on the right foot indicate that injuries to the foot would be possible.
Small Overlap Test
- Overall evaluation GOOD
- Structure and safety cage ACCEPTABLE
Injury measures
- Head/neck GOOD
- Chest GOOD
- Hip/thigh GOOD
- Lower leg/foot ACCEPTABLE
- Restraints and dummy kinematics GOOD
Structure
The driver space was maintained reasonably well, with maximum intrusion of the lower interior of 11 cm at the lower hinge pillar. Upper interior intrusion measured 9-10 cm at the instrument panel and hinge pillar.
Injury measures
Measures from the dummy indicate that injuries to the left lower leg would be possible in a crash of this severity. The risk of significant injuries to other body regions is low.
Restraints and dummy kinematics
The dummy’s head contacted the frontal airbag but moved too far to the left side, leaving the head vulnerable to contact with forward structure. The side curtain airbag deployed and had sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contact with side structure and outside objects. The side torso airbag also deployed.
Side Impact Test at 31 MPH
- Overall evaluation GOOD
- Structure and safety cage GOOD
Driver Injury Measures
- Head/neck GOOD
- Torso GOOD
- Pelvis/leg GOOD
- Head protection GOOD
Rear Passenger Injury Measures
- Head/neck GOOD
- Torso GOOD
- Pelvis/leg GOOD
- Head protection GOOD
Note: Side crash test ratings can be compared across vehicle categories.
Injury Measures
Driver — Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.
Passenger — Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.
Head Protection
Driver — The dummy’s head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side curtain airbag that deployed from the roof and a side airbag that deployed from the seat.
Passenger — The dummy’s head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side curtain airbag that deployed from the roof.
Head Restraints and Seat Whiplash Test
- Type: Manual cloth seat
- Overall evaluation GOOD
- Dynamic rating GOOD
- Seat/head restraint geometry GOOD
Important: Head restraints and seats ratings should be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.
Roof Strength Rollover Test
To measure roof strength, a metal plate is pushed against one corner of a vehicle's roof at a constant speed. The maximum force sustained by the roof before 5 inches of crush is compared to the vehicle's weight to find the strength-to-weight ratio. This is a good assessment of vehicle structural protection in rollover crashes.Vehicles only need a strength-to-weight ratio of 1.5 to meet the federal regulation. The Fiat 500X roof can withstand more than 4 times its weight.
- Overall evaluation GOOD
- Curb weight 3,245 lbs
- Peak force 13,837 lbs
- Strength-to-weight ratio 4.26
Read more:
Sources: IIHS, Fiat USA
Images courtesy of IIHS media.
*The New Fiat Guide by Jan P Norbye 1969
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