autoMedia Auto News Blog : Pontiac

SEMA: Lingenfelter Trans Am Concept

admin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:50:00 GMT

Respected tuning house Lingenfelter Performance Engineering ( LPE ) unveiled a back-to-the-future muscle car with its T/A concept at the 2009 SEMA show . Certain to turn heads, the reborn Trans Am applies classic Pontiac cues to a 2010 Camaro , then cranks up the volume with abundant performance upgrades. The result is a clear example of what could have been, where it not for the auto industry crisis . Inspired by the 1969 original, the exterior makeover features a new front fascia with custom headlamps, grille, and turn signals. The car's fender has a functional side extractor scoop and the rear quarter has a leading edge wheel flair. The rear corners of the car have been extended nearly four inches and are finished with a wrapped down stand-up spoiler. Custom-created taillight housings complete the body work. The rolling stock is custom 20-inch honeycomb wheels wrapping in 275/40ZR20 front and 315/35ZR20 rear Nitto tires. Inside, the cockpit is dressed with bright blue woven vinyl seat inserts and metal turned instrument panel accents. As with any LPE project, there is serious underhood alchemy with the T/A concept. The engine is built around a custom Racing Head Service (RHS...(read more)

Fisker Buys GM Factory to Build Plug-In Hybrids

admin — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:42:00 GMT

As the auto industry emerges from crisis , new hope is given to a General Motors factory town with today’s announcement that Fisker Automotive will purchase the Wilmington Assembly plant in Delaware. Vice President Joe Biden and Delaware Governor Jack Markell were on hand for the news that Fisker signed a letter of purchase intent for $18 million. An additional $175 million will be spent to refurbish and retool the factory over the next three years. The funds come from a conditional loan of $528.7 million the Department of Energy awarded the company in September. The facility that previously built the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky will be overhauled to assemble an “affordable” plug-in hybrid sedan dubbed Project NINA. Production is expected to begin in late 2012, and Project NINA is optimistically forecast to support 2,000 factory jobs and more than 3,000 vendor and supplier jobs by 2014, as production ramps up to full capacity of 75,000-100,000 vehicles per year. More than half of the sedans are expected to be exported. The car itself is estimated to cost about $39,900 after federal tax credits. Learn about the Fisker Karma , a luxurious plug-in hybrid that delivers an estimated...(read more)

American Musclecar Show, Race, and All-New GTO Reveal

Editor — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 04:45:00 GMT

If you love American musclecars (and who doesn't?) or if you own one or more of these choice chariots, join Jim Wangers --the man behind the success of the Pontiac GTO --as he opens his warehouse-sized collection of classic, muscle and exotic cars Saturday, October 17, 2009 , kicking off a weekend celebration of American performance cars of all makes and models. The festivities will commence with a car show and include an awards ceremony, BBQ lunch on Saturday (for all who pre-register by October 14, 2009), and the big West Coast reveal of the Jim Wangers Signature Edition GTO . The Jim Wangers Signature Edition GTO is a custom restomod production car based on the 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge and built by Big 3 Performance, with power supplied by a 505 cubic inch Butler Performance Pontiac 700-hp V8 engine mated to a Viper-spec TR6060 six-speed transmission, for starters. Yes, you can buy one. In honor of the auto industry's struggles over the last year, Wangers is inviting lovers and owners of all American performance cars to attend the two-day Show ‘n Go Tour de Wangers weekend. Sunday, October 18 th is Muscle Car Drag Day and the chance for all pre-registered participants/owners...(read more)

2011 Chevrolet Caprice - Pontiac G8 Lives On, Sorta

admin — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 03:06:00 GMT

Automotive enthusiasts openly wept when it became clear that the Holden-sourced G8 sedan would be a casualty in the shuttering of the Pontiac brand. General Motors had teased with world that it would live on as a Chevrolet, then it shattered dreams by declaring the G8 as gone for good. Well, true believers, the G8 will live on as the Chevrolet Caprice.

Technically, the Caprice is actually a long-wheelbase model based on the Holden Statesman, stretching 118.5 inches hub to hub. The larger car enables enough rear legroom to accommodate a divider—an essential to protect officers from fiesty suspects. To be sold strictly as a police-spec vehicle, this will be the coolest Caprice in that moniker’s history.

The initial powertrain will be a 6.0-liter, 355-horsepower V-8 with 384 lbs.-ft. of torque paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. Chevrolet boasts 0-60 mph times under six seconds, ensuring The Man can outgun most roadway hooligans. This potent engine will be joined by a more fuel-efficient V-6 the following year.

The Caprice is given the full cop treatment, bumper to bumper, with all the electrical hookups and convenience features needed by a modern police force.

Yes, enthusiasts have a new police interceptor to fear… and covet.

For old time's sake, read our Pontiac G8 review, and also check out our test of the platform-sharing Chevrolet Camaro.

Sneak Peek: 2010 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

admin — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 04:20:00 GMT

The Pontiac division is an unfortunate casualty of the General Motors restructuring, denying rear-drive enthusiasts the G8 sedan and a next-generation, production Firebird or GTO. Unless enterprising Poncho enthusiasts contract Trans Am Depot to build a modern Firebird from the new, retro-themed 2010 Chevrolet Camaro.

This Florida-based Firebird restoration shop will introduce a one-off "Phoenix T/A" Concept at the 2009 Trans Am Nationals, previewing a conversion the company will offer later in the year. Designer Kevin Morgan has created a look inspired by the 1977-1978 Trans Am, merging the “Bandit” look with the profile recreated from the first-generation Firebird. The posted illustrations bring an instant smile to our face, and we hope to see an variety of such Camaro Ams on the car show circuit next year.

The Trans Am Depot has said the kits will be available as an installed conversion only.

Order details, pricing, and delivery information have not been announced, though the package specifics have:

Exterior

1” - 1.5” lowering kit w/sway bar handling upgrade
Front: 20x9.5x120 CB-66.9 gold or silver machined face snowflake wheels.
Front: Pirelli PZero 275/45ZR20
Rear: 20x11.5x120 CB-66.9 gold or silver machined face snowflake wheels.
Rear: Pirelli PZero 305/35ZR20
Hood with shake scoop
Fender extractors
Exhaust conversion w/ splitter tips
Rear fascia clip w/tail lamp lenses and bulbs
Rear spoiler
T/A Graphic Package

Interior

Embroded head rest and console lid
Turned aluminum door panel
Turned aluminum dash inserts
Turned aluminum instrument cluster
Door panel badges
T/A SN badge and designation

If an enhanced Camaro with a proper Bowtie in the grille is more your flavor, check out the Transformers Special Edition and 562-hp 2010 HPE550 Camaro.

autoMedia CARnival July 17, 2009: What is happening this week in the auto blogs?

Brandy Schaffels — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:53:00 GMT

It's the week ending July 17, and we've browsed our favorite automotive blogs all week long to gather a collection of what we feel is the highlight from each. Following on the heels of General Motors return from bankruptcy last week, the biggest news this week swirls around the return of beloved "Maximum Bob" Lutz from retirement to head General Motors as vice chairman responsible for all creative elements of products and customer relationships. And within days of his return he's already making headlines wherever we look, thanks to one particularly lofty statement made early in the week...

On Monday, MotorTrend.com reported some of Lutz' future product plans, including confirmation that the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe is still alive and that there's even a remote possibility of a CTS-V Wagon; hints that the nearly production-ready Camaro Z/28 supercharged Mustang GT500-fighter may never see the light of day; and a report that the fabulous Pontiac G8 will live on as the Chevy Caprice.

The possibility of a Pontiac G8 to Chevy Caprice rebadge was optimistically covered by a number of auto blogs, including Jalopnik, Consumer Reports, AutoBlog, USA Today, Automotive Traveler, and The Detroit News -- but by midweek, General Motors began backpedaling on his statement, and it wasn't long before Autosavant, Consumer Reports, Left Lane News, and others rescinded the report, either by publishing additional stories, or by adding commentary to the original verisons. Jalopnik explained it most bluntly with a quote from GM CEO Fritz Henderson saying "Bob Lutz says a lot of things, but he works for me."

You might not expect to hear bad news about hybrids from a site like AutoBlogGreen, which shares a new study by Quality Planning showing that hybrid cars are driven more (potentially negating the benefits of the added battery pack and electric motor), cost more to fix, and get more tickets.

Speaking of hybrids, The Detroit Bureau says Honda will soon be selling to more of them in a report indicating the company has confirmed plans to begin sales of a CR-Z hybrid model in February 2010, with a hybrid version of the Fit following before the end of the year. Apparently, Honda's latest production hybrid, the Insight, is now selling well enough that the company is changing the capacity at its Suzuka Japan, factory where it is made.

Some might call it art, others might not. Jalopnik has a photo gallery of a monstrous Volkswagen dubbed "The Goddess Of Maximalizm" which wears waaaaay more than the required number of driving lights and antenna, various guards and flaps, a wagon wheel, and even a ladder. Uhm. Yeah...

Mexico gets on the bandwagon with its own "Cash for Clunkers" program! A story over at AutoBlog -- which almost sounds like an April Fools prank-- reports that Mexican new car buyers will be given 15,000 pesos ($1,100 U.S.) for cars they turn over to recycling depots or junkyards, and they can apply that to cars worth up to 160,000 pesos ($11,760 U.S.). Eligible vehicles include those built in Mexico or imported by any of the seven companies that have assembly plants in the country.

Thanks for joining us for this week's autoMedia.com CARnival! Have you got something of interest you want us to include in a future carnival? Then fill out our online form so we can be notified of your interesting entry to our weekly blog CAR-nival. Check back next week for another installment--until then, have a great weekend!

Brandy Schaffels, Contributing Editor

Life, Cars, and Dad

Editor — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 06:58:00 GMT

People are often curious about girls and women who love, race, and/or write about cars. I owe my passion for cars (and my career) to my dad. My dad was 23 when I was born; his second child and, all told, his only daughter. He’s called me Baby my whole life.

Southern California in the early Sixties was innocent and spacious, and a great place to be during a hot rod heyday. My dad was a machinist, a mechanic, an engineer, a flat track motorcycle racer, and a born-and-bred automotive aficionado and engine builder. He, like most young men, learned about cars from his dad—and I learned about cars from mine. He gave me an appreciation of cars—not just the shiny new ones, but how to take care of them, to make them last and run well. He taught me racecar driver skills, and the importance of maintenance for safety’s sake.

As a teenager, he had ’37, ’38, ’39, and 1940 Fords. He put a cam for a hydroplane boat on one and later bought a ’42 Cadillac, which he converted to a hot rod. When he met my mom, he drove a ’53 Lincoln Capri, two-toned yellow and black—not bad for a 21-year old. Buying cars and hot rodding them was what he did, and did often. He found a ’53 Studebaker in the wrecking yard. It had a baby V8, but lousy Bendix brakes, so he sold it to a guy who turned it into an Ascot racer. Next he bought a ’51 Chevy Bel Air hardtop coupe with a Cadillac V8 and a turbo 400 trans then a ’58 Olds that ate gas like crazy on our weekend trips to Muscle Beach. He added a Corvette manifold and twice pipes to a blue ’53 Bel Air coupe, but it made too much noise and my mom was always getting ticketed. We always had fun in and around cars, and there wasn’t anything he modified that my mom didn’t drive as well.

All of our “family” cars had some element of performance and/or cool factor to them, even the first brand new car my parents bought—a 1961 Plymouth Valiant. He worked hard to make sure my mom could stay home with us, and every penny mattered. For $3.00 more a month, they could have bought the station wagon version, but decided they couldn’t afford it. My dad taught me the value of money. The Valiant was a good car, although a little nose-heavy with its large, slant six. After that, we got a ’64 Plymouth Barracuda fastback, with a small V8 and a four-speed manual. I say “we” because this was the time I really fell in love with cars and my dad’s skill behind the wheel. I was always asking him to go faster.

We had names for our cars, like our “root beer” car—a ’58 Pontiac Star Chief, with its cream-colored hardtop and metallic root beer brown body, and our ’46 Chevy “cherry truck,” that was really deep green but totally cherry. Our ’61 Pontiac Ventura wide track station wagon, white with red interior, was one of my favorites, because we went everywhere—up and down the coasts of California, Oregon and Washington, camping and traveling. My dad worked 18-hour days, but he always reserved Sundays just for us. After church, he took us for long drives, somewhere around Southern California, from the beaches to Beverly Hills, to the desert to Skid Row. My dad didn’t always drive fast. On these days, he would drive slowly (when no one was behind us), so he could point out Southern California history, and how other people lived—those more fortunate and less. I learned appreciation and understanding from my dad from these family drives.

I also learned trust from my dad, and confidence in myself. At 15, with just my learner’s permit, he had me drive our ‘69 Ford Country Squire LTD (with a 429 V8) from the bottom of Azusa Canyon, through the high, winding mountain roads, through to where it ended back into the town. The caveat was that my entire family was in the car, including my grandparents. But I passed the test and we all lived to tell. When I’d finally gotten my license and could take the car by myself, I knew I had to pay attention to what I was doing, and to it. Not because it ran poorly, but to prevent it from doing so. My dad had installed aftermarket gauges in the car. When I got home from even a dairy run, I had to be able to tell him exactly what the oil pressure was. But he didn’t always ask. My dad taught me to be prepared, to listen to my car, and to tell the truth.

When I got my own first car, I didn’t pay much attention to the Country Squire any longer, but my dad still did. He had a rule about this car: 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever came first. But one day when doing some weekend maintenance under the hood and giving it a wax, a large family in an old, almost broken down pickup drove by. The man stopped and asked my dad if he was selling the wagon. He really wasn’t because, although he’d already gotten my mom a new car, he still had to make sure every hose, belt, plug, pad and wire was just right before selling it. But at that moment he decided to go ahead and let it go, because he could see that this man really needed a nice car for his family. And he gave him a great deal. I learned generosity from my dad.

Cars brought us together, they brought us joy and they taught us to take care of what we have, and each other, and to be gracious to others who don't have as much. These are the things I've learned from my dad—things about cars, and life.

- Deborah Neal, Editorial Director, autoMedia.com

GM to End Pontiac Vibe

admin — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 01:31:00 GMT

When General Motors submitted its last viability plan to the Autos Task Force, it called for Pontiac to be phased out. It was expected that the Vibe hatchback would continue on for one more year, providing another fuel-efficient model in the shrinking corporate production portfolio. (In fact, the image here is of the 2010 Vibe.) But, GM announced this week that Vibe production would wind down in August.

GM sales figures for May show the Vibe down 46.6 percent, compared to the same month in 2008.

The Vibe is produced at the New United Motor Manufacturing Incorporated (NUMMI) facility jointly operated by GM and Toyota in Fremont, California. The facility also builds the Toyota Corolla and Tacoma.

GM and Toyota are in active talks about a potential future product to be built at that facility.

A nice, little car with good fuel efficiency, it is a shame to see the Vibe go. It joins the entire Pontiac range as models expected to be heavily discounted this summer, though their future resale value may offset purchase discounts.

Read our 2009 Pontiac Vibe review.

New Cars Under $15,000

Editor — Mon, 25 May 2009 03:20:00 GMT

Do you prefer to start fresh? Would you feel better knowing that your new car doesn’t have a used-car history? If you’re in the market for a brand new car with a new-car warranty, but want or need to keep your spending to a minimum, here are the 16 new models available in trim levels for less than $15,000 (price ranges for some models include trim levels over $15k). Click on each vehicle to learn more about its features and options. Happy hunting!

2009 Chevrolet Aveo ($11,965-$15,365)

2009 Honda Fit ($14,750-$18,960)

2009 Hyundai Accent ($11,070-$15,070)

2009 Hyundai Elantra ($14,120-$17,020)

2009 Kia Rio ($11,495-$14,280)

2010 Kia Soul ($13,300-$16,950)

2009 Kia Spectra ($13,550-$16,450)

2009 Mazda MAZDA3 ($14,690-$20,895)

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer ($14,340-$26,490)

2009 Nissan cube ($13,990-$19,370)

2009 Nissan Versa ($10,990-$16,330)

2009 Pontiac G3 ($14,335)

2009 Scion xD ($14,650)

2009 smart fortwo ($11,990-$13,990)

2009 Suzuki SX4 ($13,299-$15,139)

2009 Toyota Yaris ($12,205-$15,880)

See the rest of our New Car Buyer's Guide for pricing, specs, mileage figures, and photo galleries of all vehicle makes, models, by pricing and category.

-Deborah Neal, Editorial Director

CEO Says GM Bankruptcy is Probable

admin — Tue, 12 May 2009 01:09:00 GMT

As the days count till the end of the month when General Motors must present its final viability plan to the Autos Task Force, GM CEO Fritz Henderson described bankruptcy as “probable” in a restructuring update today with reporters. Henderson said there is still a chance that GM can accomplish its mission outside of bankruptcy, but he seemed to be paving the way for what may be unavoidable. (Read: "Chrysler Files for Bankruptcy, Merges with Fiat.")

While the “B” word carries with it a rightful sense of dread, it brings with it protections and rights that could enable GM to more rapidly reinvent itself than would otherwise be possible. In interviewing a series of experts, the Detroit News declared that Chapter 11 filing seems all but inevitable. Still, the company is moving to swiftly reduce its costs.

Later this week, GM will announce details of its plan to cut 2,700 dealerships by 2010, according to Automotive News.

The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) released a related statement:

“By closing 2,641 dealerships in 18 months instead of five years, GM could lose an estimated $35 billion in sales revenue. Another 137,330 dealership employees will lose their jobs, and state and local governments will lose an estimated $1.7 billion in sales tax revenue that would have been used for economic development in communities around the country.”

Dealers were dealt a serious blow with the recent announcement that the Pontiac division would be retired, impacting 2,627 dealerships. Of those, just 27 are stand-alone stores.

Henderson also said that GM has received three offers to buy Hummer, and it is proceeding with two bidders.

Opel has several serious lookers, including Fiat, giving GM options with its German division.

On Saturn, GM is open to a variety of arrangements, including providing cars to a new owner and selling part of its manufacturing.

GM hopes to resolve Saab’s situation in the next couple of months.

Clearly, all these decisions have major, long-range repercussions. And we’ll continue to follow this serial drama to keep car shoppers and enthusiasts alike informed.

Latest GM Viability Plan Kills Pontiac and More

admin — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 02:00:00 GMT

President Obama rejected the General Motors Viability Plan submitted on February 17th, giving the automaker 60 days to return with a revised road map for returning to profitability. Monday, GM presented the highlights of its new plan, promising drastic cuts to the dealer body, staffing, and even its brand portfolio. The news that sent the biggest ripple through the industry: Pontiac would be axed in 2010.

The brand that brought the muscle car era, with the LeMans GTO, would be the latest high-profile sacrifice as GM severs its limbs to survive. (Read our GTO history.) While no one will miss the G3 hatchback, it seems a shame to lose Pontiac when the brand may have reached its mechanical high point with the G8 sport sedan. Sourced from Holden as a Yankee-edition Commodore, the G8 is a world-class performance car. It is now destined to be a future collectable, along with the Solstice.

And so, Pontiac joins the outcast brands. Hummer, Saab, and Saturn will be disposed of by the end of 2009, based on a more aggressive time table.

GM is moving to cut its dealer body from 6,246 in 2008 to just 3,605 by the end of 2010, a reduction of 42 percent. This is a further reduction of 500 dealers, and four years sooner, than in the February 17 plan, though it isn’t clear how that will be accomplished, except with hardship at the local level.

Speaking of, the plan also covers for employee reduction from about 61,000 in 2008 to 40,000 in 2010, a 34 percent reduction, and level off at about 38,000 starting in 2011.

As a result of these and other actions, GM North America costs are projected to decline 25 percent, from $30.8 billion in 2008 to $23.2 billion in 2010.

Driving these major changes is the desire to keep federal aid coming, and more importantly, to ensure the long-term viability for the company. Let’s hope these painful cuts make the difference.

We’ll sure miss Pontiac.

Pontiac highlights from AutoMedia:
Review: Pontiac Aztek
Admittedly not a highpoint, but a memorable model nonetheless.
Review: Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Collector Edition
Review: Pontiac G5
Review: Pontiac G6
Review: Pontiac Grand Prix
Review: Pontiac Solstice GXP
Modern Classic: '64 Pontiac GTO

For more Pontiac highlights, use the Search tool at the top of the site.

Ford, GM Offers Job-Loss Protection to Car Buyers

admin — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 02:17:00 GMT

Borrowing a page from the Hyundai Assurance playbook, both Ford Motor Company and General Motors announced incentive programs designed to ease car-buyer concerns. Smart moves, the Ford Advantage Plan and GM Total Confidence programs should help dealers move the metal by easing shopper worries about what happens should the national economic crisis become personal.

The Ford Advantage Plan provides 12 months of payment protection, up to $700 per month, on any new Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury vehicle, plus zero percent financing on select vehicles through Ford Motor Credit. In addition, Ford is working with its dealers to introduce a local charity support program. The Plan is in effect now through June 1. The revised 2010 Ford Fusion is looking even more attractive...

The GM Total Confidence program provides payment protection for first 24 months of ownership. Should the buyer lose their income, GM will cover up to nine payments for up to $500 per month. Further, if the new GM model is financed, the company will help protect its retail value at trade-in—providing another GM vehicle is purchased. As a bonus, one year of OnStar services are included in the offer. At least initially, the program runs April 1 to April 29th.

Research Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Hummer, Pontiac, and Saab, or Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury in the 2009 new car buyer's guide.

Carpocalypse Now: Cars Sales Plummet, Again

admin — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 03:16:00 GMT

The tragic trend continues, car sales continue to slide from bad to worse as the nation reels amidst the troubled economy. As automakers, suppliers, and dealers struggle to survive and restructure to face the changing challenges, the plummeting sales figures do mean that tremendous deals can be found for those in the market for a new or even a used car.

Few companies were spared deep double-digit declines in Februrary when comparing the month year to year. In the 40-50 percent range, Acura, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Pontiac, and even Toyota saw such steep declines. The 50-60 percent range includes Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Mitsubishi, Saturn, and Volvo. The scariest thing, there are brands in the 60-70 percent range, such as Chrysler, Hummer, Saab, and Suzuki.

At the corporate level, the numbers still look dreadful. BMW is down 32.7 percent, proving that even the well-heeled are sheepish about new car buying. Chrysler is down 44 percent—notably less than Ford Motor Company at 48.4 percent and General Motors at 52.9 percent. Even Honda saw a 38 percent decrease, made higher by the 41.5 percent drop in Acura sales. Nissan is off by 37 percent, and Toyota Motor Company is down 39.8 percent.

The big winner? Subaru, with a 1.4 percent uptick, no doubt fueled by winter months adding appeal to its AWD line up. Victory can be also claimed for Kia with a humble, though celebration worthy, 0.4 percent increase.

As the automakers grapple with these latest figures, expect enticing deals to continue and more creative marketing to appear. Hyundai has done this with the expansion of its successful Assurance program. Chrysler has just announced a free Hemi V8 upgrade for Ram buyers. And the new Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids are eligible for a $3,400 tax credit till the end of March.

If you’re in the market, do your research and you’ll find great deals on just about every vehicle.

Research in the new car buyer’s guide. Or, scan our more than 3 million used car listings to find the best car for you.

RIP – Pontiac G8 ST Sport Truck

admin — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:13:00 GMT

As General Motors aggressively recasts its production plans, the Pontiac G8 ST Sport Truck was revealed to be the latest casualty. Billed as a 21st-century El Camino, the G8 sedan-based trucklet promised to be a fun, sporting variation on a nostalgic theme. But, as GM reportedly explained to dealers, the niche vehicle doesn’t fit with their vision for the Pontiac brand. Presumably, that vision includes profitability and launching a small volume, pricey model imported from Australian just doesn’t add up in today’s market.

At least we still have the refined, high-horsepower G8 sedan.

See our Pontiac G8 GT review. Research the Pontiac G8 in the new car buyer's guide.

Small Car Crash Tests

admin — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 03:46:00 GMT

Most new small cars now earn good ratings in frontal crash tests but not when it comes to side and rear crashes, according to the latest crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Institute just released the results of front, side, and rear tests of seven 2009 model small cars: Chevrolet HHR, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Saturn Astra, Suzuki SX4, and Toyota Matrix. All performed well in frontal impact protection, however the results were mixed in side and rear crash simulations.

Just 11 of the 21 current small car models the Institute has rated earn good ratings
for side protection. Where the frontal impact test represents an offset collision with a same-sized vehicle, the side-impact test simulates the perpendicular impact from a midsized SUV – putting small cars as a category at a disadvantage. Only the SX4 and Matrix and its twin Pontiac Vibe also earn good ratings for protection in side crashes. The worst performer was the PT Cruiser, the vehicle also distinguished as having the oldest design. In general, newer vehicles tend to perform better, but as you’ll see below, results may vary.

Safety equipment can make a difference, with antilock brakes, electronic stability control, and side- and side-curtain airbags all proven to save lives. These vehicles were all tested with side airbags – just imagine the consequences of buying a car without this protection. It ain’t pretty.

Suzuki SX4
Front: Good
Side: Good
Rear: Marginal
Front and rear head-curtain airbags and front torso airbags.
Front, side, and rear: 2007-2009 models.

Pontiac Vibe / Toyota Matrix
Front: Good
Side: Good
Rear: Not tested
Front and rear head-curtain airbags and front torso airbags.
Front, side, and rear: 2008-2009 models.

Ford Focus
Front: Good
Side: Acceptable
Rear: Marginal
Front and rear head-curtain airbags and front torso airbags.
Front, side, and rear: 2008-2009 models.

Chevrolet HHR
Front: Good
Side: Acceptable
Rear: Marginal
Front and rear head-curtain airbags.
Front, side, and rear: 2006-2009 models.

Hyundai Elantra
Front: Good
Side: Marginal
Rear: Acceptable
Front and rear head-curtain airbags and front torso airbags.
Front, side, and rear: 2008-2009 models.

Saturn Astra
Front: Good
Side: Marginal
Rear: Acceptable
Front and rear head-curtain airbags and front torso airbags.
Front, side, and rear: 2008-2009 models.

Chrysler PT Cruiser
Front: Good
Side: Poor
Rear: Poor
Front and rear head-curtain airbags and front torso airbags.
Front, side, and rear: 2008-2009 models.

Learn more about car safety from our DriveSmart articles.