Car safety has improved markedly versus light trucks since the turn of the century. While the consequences of size and weight differences have by no means been overcome, cars do have some advantages.

As a class, cars and wagons' main advantages over light trucks are their lower center of gravity, size and braking. Their lower center of gravity translates to a lower likelihood of rollover. While a car that goes off the pavement can roll, its lower center of gravity makes it less likely to do so than pickup trucks or SUVs, which are more easily "tripped" by a curb or soft shoulder. Cars' lower center of gravity also makes them more nimble and capable of avoiding a collision, as do their smaller size and typically shorter braking distances.

It bears noting, however, that the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported in June 2011 that SUVs are now safer than cars overall, even when comparing vehicles of similar weight. Real-world fatality data for 2005-2008 models reveal 28 driver deaths per million registered SUVs. There were 56 car driver deaths and 52 pickup driver deaths per million for the same period. Minivans were the safest with 25 driver deaths per million registered vehicles. Though SUVs technically have a higher center of gravity than cars, electronic stability systems can prevent some of the conditions that lead to rollovers, so the greatest historical strike against them has been mitigated.

Unfortunately, a couple of passenger car advantages are also disadvantages: The lesser weight and lower height make them vulnerable to heavier, higher vehicles. Historically, pickups and truck-based SUVs have not been as meticulously designed to absorb crash energy, but their weight and height make up for it in crashes with lighter vehicles, whose occupants pay the price.

A side impact from a truck or SUV is perhaps the greatest danger to passenger cars. There are just inches and practically no steel between a truck bumper and a car occupant's upper body. This is why side-impact airbags are a must, as discussed below. Features can't compensate for weight and height differences, but they can certainly help.

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