Overlap overhyped?

We’re looking at three compact cars, and none of them did well in that new front overlap test. Safety is pretty important to us, but I’m wondering if since this is a new test it might need to be fine-tuned some. I also wonder if what it measures is even a valid kind of incident to measure, meaning, is it one of every million wrecks, and therefore shouldn’t be a matter of huge concern?

I pay attention to the crash test ratings.

I’ve not been in an accident since I was 17 when the brakes on my Morris Minor failed (that was [a] pretty low-speed fender bender). But I want to know when/if wreck day comes my vehicle has proven itself in these crash tests as having good protection performance.

Compacts tend not to do so well on the overlap front crash tests. The small and moderate front crash tests aren’t exactly new. They’re the newest of the tests the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does, but they’ve been part of the protocol for five years.

Instead of a dead-on front crash, these occur at an angle, intended to test what would happen if just the front corner of the car collides with another car or with a tree or a utility pole. It’s the kind of impact that can happen when a driver is evading a head-on crash with an oncoming vehicle, or when the driver goes to sleep or loses control in poor driving conditions.

The IIHS says nearly one-quarter of the frontal crashes that result in serious or fatal injuries to the driver or front-seat passenger are from this kind of crash.

Many carmakers respond to bad ratings by saying the tests aren’t indicative of real-world situations. But some, like Ford with its Focus, made improvements after a poor rating, and this year got an acceptable rating.

Quick pick — hatchback or sedan?

I pick the hatchback. I like the idea of having a locking trunk, but the hatchback meets my needs for more convenient schlepping around of gardening stuff, dogs and so on.

I think it’s often a choice based on lifestyle (and the fact that the hatchback version of a sedan usually costs a few hundred dollars more).

What’s your question? Sharon Peters would like to hear about what’s on your mind when it comes to caring for, driving and repairing your vehicle. Email Sharon@ctwfeatures.com.