How the S.U.V. ran over automotive safety.

Now, this article doesn't even mention Volvos in it at all, but it brings up a lot of points regarding construction and safety of vehicles that have been addressed here at some point. I found it to be an interesting read.

For instance, the value of crumple zones and a unibody frame are explained. From what it sounds like SUVs are kind of just bolted all together. Our Volvos were designed from the occupants out, with that incredibly strong steel cage.

Another really interesting point is about the PT Cruiser. The rear window(s) were redesigned to be smaller to calm the fears that an outsider could easily see inside the vehicle. I'm reminded of the recent thread about Dodge Magnums (the new wagon-that's-not-a-wagon). Someone commented how the roofline is deceptive, that the windows and the way the car is designed make it seem larger than it really is. I think the windows look disproportionately small--I'd guess their size, in part, stems from this customer mentality. (The rear window in my mom's S40 is incredibly small to me, I might add.) I wonder if the large windows and spacious area in the back of a 240 wagon discouraged some buyers over the years?

A big deal about the safety of an SUV versus a Porsche Boxster-like car has to do with passive versus active safety. With a small car, a driver can nimbly avoid dangerous situations. Such a contention only reinforces my opinion that a 240 has the best of both worlds--with the proper suspension tweaks, a 240 has incredible passive and active safety measures.

It seems that buyers of SUVs tend to fall into a "perceived safety" mindset. All I've got to say is that the time spent driving my Volvo and learning about the excellent construction has imparted a safety mindset onto me--I do make sure to pay attention when I am dwarfed by a giant American pickup next to me in traffic, but I also honestly believe that in an accident, I'm in one of the safest cars on the road. The IIHS declaring the Volvo 240 "the safest car on the American market" only reassures me of that fact.

Any thoughts?
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'89 244 GL -- 109,561 miles (see profile for info on car)