Uh Oh! Sales of the Fiat 500 are already lower than was expected and now the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has given the Fiat 500 a three-star safety rating, which is the lowest rating of any new model tested.
The tiny Fiat 500 received a four-star rating in the frontal crash and rollover tests, but only received a two-star rating in the side impact test. To compare, the Ford Fiesta subcompact has a combined four-star rating, but the crash ratings for other small cars like the Mini Cooper and 2012 Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris and Chevy Sonic have not been released.
Although NHTSA has given the Fiat 500 its lowest score, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently named the 500 a Top Safety Pick.