2016 Chevrolet Spark Crash Tested by the IIHS

Even though the IIHS has yet to find out if the Spark offers sufficient protection in the small overlap front and roof strength tests, the institute put the city car through its paces in the moderate front overlap and side impact tests. And yes, the golden bowtie's smallest car was rated ‘good’ in both scenarios.

To be more specific, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tested the 2016 Chevrolet Spark 1LT. The mid-range trim level weighs 2,266 pounds (1,027 kilograms), returns 41 mpg (5.7 l/100 km) highway, and it’s loaded with safety equipment such as a rear parking camera, 10 airbags, and OnStar with Automatic Crash Response. Optional safety kit comes in the form of Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning.

In the moderate overlap front test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety notes that dummy movement was well controlled and the dummy rebounded into the seat without the head coming close to any stiff structure that could cause injury.

In the 31 mph (50 km/h) side impact test, measures from the dummy seated in the driver’s seat indicate the possibility of fractures of the ribs, pelvis or left femur, as well as internal organ injuries. Thus, the organization rated torso and pelvis/leg protection ‘acceptable.’

As for the optional Forward Collision Alert, the institute evaluated the front crash prevention system ‘basic’ because it doesn’t feature low-speed or high-speed autobrake. For what it’s worth, the all-new-for-2016 Chevrolet Spark is as safe as a car can be in this segment.

As a brief reminder, the fourth-generation Spark is made in South Korea and retails for $12,660 sans destination tax in the U.S. The peeps at Consumer Reports like it so much, they’re adamant the Chevrolet Spark is more refined than the Honda Fit, a model slotted one segment above the Spark.