Anyone see this? the Insurance Institute tested car bumpers for 5mph (parking lot style) accidents, and found TONS of poor performers (they called the Suzuki Aero's "just expensive decorative trim."

Protege Results:
http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_rat...html/99005.htm

Main search tool:
http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ratings.htm


Apparently test vehicle was a 99 protege (??):
"The rear bumper system on the 1999 model allowed excessive damage in a 5 mph pole impact -- more than $2,800 worth of damage compared with about $700 damage to the predecessor Protege model."

 

This is why Mazda redesigned the rear bumper in 2000, and why I'm praying that my car never gets rear ended.

 

I'm fairly happy with the rear bumper strength. I was pinched between a Focus in front and an Aerostar in back and was still driveable. $1700 damage, mostly when the Aerostar went under the rear bumper and messed up the exhaust. New bumper, new cover, good as new.

Was rear ended again day before Thanksgiving (3 months to the day since the first accident) by an SUV, much harder this time, and there's no real visible damage. The cover's loose and there's a 6" scratch, but we'll see what happens at the inspection.

Other than that, I'm impressed.

 

Simple solution - don't be an idiot and back up into a pole! How hard is that!

 

these 5mph test are BS. they don't tell you if te car is safe or not. and if you slid on ice and hit a poll side ways at 2mph you'll have more then $2500 in damages.

 

Yeah...going with that, you'll see that the Mazda's do much better in other categories w/higher impacts....

 

I was ammazed how well, the Honda Civic did! It was a best pick! It scored all "Good" scores!!! Wow! At least I know my mom is fairly safe in her 01 civic!

Sorry about praising a Civic! I'll try harder to dis.. it in the future!