Go and read NHTSA info and you'll see that the star ratings is ONLY meaningfull when comparing similarly weigh cars. So, if you're looking for compact cars, you're then looking for the highest ratings in that category. Also, smaller cars are easier to score higher in those ratings due to their ligher weight (less momentum to stop). If you're hitting a wall or a tree, then the weigh won't matter and the star ratings is the key. But most accident involves more than 2 cars...

I still strongly believe that Volvos are safer in real life accidents. Insurance death rates mean a lot but still doesn't take into account of how fequent the cars are driven (sport cars are driven less and thus has less fatality rates), the demography of the drivers (older people are easier to die but may not be as aggressive). Volvos are always on the top few spots even though we know Volvo owners put a lot of miles on their cars.