The 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage is one of the cheapest new automobiles available in the United States, with an MSRP of just $17,650. However, recent research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety suggests there might be better ideas than driving one. The fatal accidents include the Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback and the Mirage G4, the sedan version of the hatchback. There is a lot of fresh data in the IIHS’s current analysis. When multiple vehicles are involved in an accident, it keeps track of information on each car and the total number of fatalities among the drivers. In other words, the list details instances where a single vehicle was responsible for more than one fatality due to factors other than the driver. According to the IIHS, “deaths per million registered vehicle years, 2020 and equivalent earlier models, [years] 2018-21.” There have been 205 fatalities associated with the Mirage G4. With 183 deaths, the hatchback is in second position. Both the regular Mitsubishi Mirage and the sportier Mirage G4 meet or exceed all federal crash-test regulations, Mitsubishi Motors North America stated in reaction to the IIHS study. In addition, forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection will become standard on all Mirage models in 2021. The Chevrolet Spark comes in at number one, followed by the Hyundai Accent at number 152, and finally, the Dodge Challenger 2WD at number three with a score of 154. Top models include the Dodge Challenger, Charger, Camaro, and Mustang from General Motors. The IIHS concluded that muscle cars are the most risky for drivers, even compared to other vehicles with similar power-to-weight ratios. The rear-wheel-drive Challenger I just described is also extremely hazardous to other motorists in collisions. The RWD Dodge ranks second worst, with 164 fatalities per 100,000 miles traveled. The Ram 3500 Crew Cab long bed 4WD has the most “other-driver” fatalities, 189. A couple of full-size options are at the very top of this grouping. The Ram 2500 is one of six full-size pickups in the top 10 best-selling vehicles. According to a poll conducted by the year 2020, this vehicle has the highest percentage of drivers who have been convicted of DUI. According to estimates, one out of every 22 drivers of a Ram 2500 has been cited for driving under the influence. Giant, more expensive vehicles are the safest option when it comes to the likelihood of being killed in a car crash. Zero deaths per one million vehicle years were recorded for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW X3, Lexus ES350, Nissan Pathfinder, and Lexus. The E-Class and the ES350 are the only vehicles to make the top two spots. All the rest are taller crossovers and SUVs. The significance of this knowledge is evident. David Harkey, president of the IIHS, claims that more expensive vehicles are, in fact, safer. For example, “the models that rank among the best and worst on both lists show that the price of a car is still a factor in how safe it is on the road,” Harkey stated in a press release from the Institute. Muscle cars, he argues, are riskier for everyone on the road because of “marketing that may be encouraging more aggressive driving.” Smaller, lighter cars are less safe in head-on collisions than larger, heavier ones. In the United States, where the vast majority of vehicles are large and heavy, you should follow suit if you value your safety in the event of an accident. Although this claim raises several questions, it is supported by statistics from the IIHS.
