Small cars getting much safer

Damn, that's small

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), safety on 2009 small cars has improved, although some models have improved more than others.

One important requirement for side crash safety, the Institute found, is side airbags, so if you are in the market for a small car, make sure it includes side airbags.

The Suzuki SX4, Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe earned the highest rating of 'good' for side crash protection. Only the Ford Focus achieved a 'good' rating for rear crashes.