Motor manufacturers have proved they are taking safety seriously, with 13 out of 14 models scoring a maximum five-star rating in the latest round of Euro NCAP crash tests.
Almost all the cars tested achieved more than 90% in the adult occupancy crash tests and it was Vauxhall Mokka and the new Hyundai Sante Fe that jointly topped the table with a 96% score.
In Euro NCAP’s tests for child safety, pedestrian safety and active and passive safety systems, all models performed well. The SEAT Leon came out top for child safety with a 92% score, while the Ford Kuga was the most impressive in the safety assist category achieving an impressive 100%.
Romanian car maker Dacia fell short with its Lodgy mini-MPV scoring just three stars in crash tests. The Lodgy is not yet on sale in the UK but the manufacturer has admitted it could come to the UK in 2013. It managed just 44% for pedestrian protection, a more acceptable 77% for child protection and just 29% for safety assist.
Dr Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General of Euro NCAP, said: “It is disappointing to see the Lodgy do badly in our tests especially coming just a week after the Sandero, branded a Renault in South America, was given a poor one star rating by Latin NCAP.
“The Lodgy is a budget vehicle and customers will accept compromises in comfort and performance, but not safety. Euro NCAP believes that occupants’ safety should be paramount, regardless of how much they pay for their vehicle.”
Full details of the tests are as follows:
Fiat 500L: five stars (adult occupant 94%, child occupant 78%, pedestrian 65%, safety assist 71%) Model tested: 1.4 petrol ‘Easy’ 4×2.
Ford Fiesta: five stars (adult occupant 91%, child occupant 86%, pedestrian 65%, safety assist 71%) Model tested: 1.25 petrol ‘Trend’, LHD.
Ford Kuga: five stars (adult occupant 94%, child occupant 86%, pedestrian 70%, safety assist 100%) Model tested: 2.0 diesel Trend.
Hyundai Santa Fe: five stars (adult occupant 96%, child occupant 89%, pedestrian 71%, safety assist 86%) Model tested: 2.2 diesel, 5 seat Comfort.
Mercedes-Benz A-Class: five stars (adult occupant 93%, child occupant 81%, pedestrian 67%, safety assist 86%) Model tested: A180 1.6 petrol Urban.
Mitsubishi Outlander: five stars (adult occupant 94%, child occupant 83%, pedestrian 64%, safety assist 100%) Model tested: 2.2 diesel Intense.
Vauxhall Mokka: five stars (adult occupant 96%, child occupant 90%, pedestrian 67%, safety assist 100%) Model tested: 1.7 diesel Enjoy.
SEAT Leon: five stars (adult occupant 94%, child occupant 92%, pedestrian 70%, safety assist 71%) Model tested: 1.6 TDI Reference.
Skoda Rapid/SEAT Toledo: five stars (adult occupant 94%, child occupant 80%, pedestrian 69%, safety assist 71%) Model tested: Skoda Rapid 1.2TSI Ambition.
Subaru Forester: five stars (adult occupant 91%, child occupant 91%, pedestrian 73%, safety assist 86%) Model tested: 2.0i-L.
Range Rover: five stars (adult occupant 91%, child occupant 84%, pedestrian 63%, safety assist 86%) Model tested: 3.0 TD Vogue.
Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid: five stars (adult occupant 93%, child occupant 83%, pedestrian 65%, safety assist 100%) Model tested: 2.4 diesel plug-in hybrid Momentum.
Volkswagen Golf: five stars (adult occupant 94%, child occupant 89%, pedestrian 65%, safety assist 71%) Model tested: 1.2TSI Comfortline.
Dacia Lodgy: three stars (adult occupant 72%, child occupant 77%, pedestrian 44%, safety assist 29%). Model tested: Dacia Lodgy 1.5 dCi Laureate.
