New Toyota Corolla nipped in IIHS crash tests

Chris Woodyard | USA TODAY

Toyota's redone Corolla didn't flunk the crash tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. But it didn't exactly excel either.

The Corolla got top marks, good, in four tests -- the moderate overlap front, side, rollover and rear and gets a top-safety pick designation. But it doesn't get the highest rating, which adds a "plus."

That's because it is rated marginal in the IIHS test that is bedeviling most automakers. It's called the "small overlap front crash test," and it duplicates what would happen if the car crashed into a pole on the driver's side.

The bad news from the test:

"Structural performance was poor and the driver's space was seriously compromised by intruding structure." the IIHS, the testing arm of the insurance industry, writes.

The crash-test dummy took a battering. If it had been a person, it would have had injuries to the left lower leg. The dummy's head contacted the front airbag but rolled to the left as the steering wheel moved 4 inches to the right, meaning it could have struck the roof pillar or dashboard.

At least Corolla is in good company. Half of the dozen small cars tested by IIHS were found to be marginal or poor in the same test, which began last year. The other half were good or acceptable.

In a response, Toyota notes that the test is relatively new and it is working to make sure it meets it.

"Although the 2014 Toyota Corolla did not achieve the IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus rating, it continues to qualify for the 2013 Top Safety Pick award," Toyota notes. Toyota has 21 Top Safety Pick models now among its Toyota, Scion and Lexus brands.