The only collision instance I'd rather be in an SUV would be in a head-on collision, and, even then, I don't enjoy the prospect of the increased probability of killing the people in the other car. In pretty much any other accident, I'd rather be in the Miata, as it either would involve a good chance of flipping in the SUV, or wouldn't be a particularly dangerous accident (and I'd rather be in the Miata, all things being equal). Not to mention how much easier it would be to safely avoid an accident in the Miata in the first place.

He decided it was a good idea to turn left through a green light without bothering to look who was coming or even using his turn signal

You mean he turned left in front of oncoming traffic? Wow.