Maxi round of crash tests for EuroNCAP, maxi “batch” of stars for almost all the cars tested. The independent European safety body has released the results of tests carried out on 16 cars, ranging in a wide range of classes, and 15 have obtained the coveted five stars, demonstrating – underlines EuroNCAP – “the manufacturers’ determination to do well in this year’s protocols”.
The cars tested this November include the two full electric Tesla Model S and the new NIO ET7 (which last week also obtained the highest marks in the GreenNCAP evaluation, the tests dedicated to sustainability): for the institution, the very high scores obtained in tests, first and foremost the maximum safety features (98% for the Model S, 95% for the NIO), “can only improve the profile and reputation of both these cars”. Five stars also for two other Chinese cars, the new smart #1 small off-road vehicle, now jointly owned by the Geely car company, and another small off-road vehicle, the WEY Coffee 02.
Also released were the five-star results of the long-awaited electric Toyota bZ4X and its official twin, the Subaru Solterra. The other cars that achieved 5-star results were the Hyundai Ioniq 6 (which achieved the maximum score of the round, 97%, in adult protection), the Honda Civic, the Toyota Corolla Cross, the Nissan Ariya and its sibling major, the Nissan X Trail. Five stars also for the Renault Austral, the Land Rover Range Rover and its sportier sister, the Range Rover Sport. The only car to stop with four stars, the DS 9, penalized in the frontal impact test for the damage caused to the other vehicles it collided with.
The November round could be the last before 2023, the year in which EuroNCAP announced its intention to further tighten the protocols followed to test the safety of cars, in line with the institution’s “Vision 2030” , focused on increasingly advanced assisted and automated driving technologies: “Manufacturers are eager to score well in this year’s tests as next year’s protocols will become more stringent and provide more challenges for vehicle development,” said Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General of EuroNCAP – In 2023, in line with its Vision 2030, Euro NCAP will focus on a number of new aspects. We are implementing autonomous emergency braking (AEB) protocols for motorcycles and new passive safety scenarios for pedestrians and cyclists, extending the area where these two vulnerable users could interact with a vehicle. This is a much-needed step forward in safety for other road users, and we are working closely with the industry to ensure that Vision Zero targets are met and protocol requirements are met.”
To encourage safety developments and vehicle upgrades, EuroNCAP has decided to allow manufacturers to re-test or re-evaluate the same car following significant safety improvements. It happened in 2022 with the Volkswagen Golf, tested for the first time in 2019, the result of which was published last month, and the Isuzu D-Max did not fully convince EuroNCAP. Which left it with the five stars awarded in 2020, underlining however that it did not show growth in terms of safety guarantees, on the contrary, it even had lower performance because it was tested in the left-hand drive variant.
“EuroNCAP is keen to work closely with manufacturers to provide them with an area in which they can improve the safety performance of their cars – concluded van Ratingen – However, it is important that these same manufacturers do not use the six-year validity of the rating simply as a strategic business opportunity to satisfy consumers. Manufacturers have to show us that they are committed to making a real difference to safety.”
Tesla Model S – 5 stars
Adult protection: 94%
Child protection: 91%
Vulnerable road user protection: 85%
Safety Assist: 98%
NIO ET7 – 5 stars
Adult protection: 91%
Child protection: 87%
Protecting Vulnerable Road Users: 68%
Safety Assists: 73%
WEY COFFEE 02 – 5 stars
Adult protection: 94%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road user protection: 73%
Safety Assists: 93%
Toyota bZ4X – 5 stars
Adult protection: 88%
Child protection: 87%
Protecting Vulnerable Road Users: 79%
Safety Assists: 91%
Smart #1 – 5 stars
Adult protection: 96%
Child protection: 89%
Vulnerable road user protection: 71%
Safety Assists: 88%
Renault Austral – 5 stars
Adult protection: 88%
Child protection: 83%
Protecting Vulnerable Road Users: 69%
Safety Assists: 87%
Land Rover Range Rover Sport – 5 stars
Adult protection: 85%
Child protection: 85%
Protecting Vulnerable Road Users: 69%
Safety Assists: 82%
Land Rover Range Rover – 5 stars
Adult protection: 84%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road user protection: 72%
Safety Assists: 82%
Toyota Corolla Cross – 5 stars
Adult protection: 85%
Child protection: 83%
Vulnerable road user protection: 87%
Safety Assists: 82%
Hyundai Ioniq 6 – 5 stars
Adult protection: 97%
Child protection: 87%
Protecting Vulnerable Road Users: 66%
Safety Assist: 90%
Nissan Arya – 5 stars
Adult protection: 86%
Child protection: 89%
Protecting Vulnerable Road Users: 74%
Safety Assists: 93%
Honda Civic – 5 stars
Adult protection: 89%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road user protection: 82%
Safety Assists: 83%
Subaru Solterra – 5 stars
Adult protection: 88%
Child protection: 87%
Protecting Vulnerable Road Users: 79%
Safety Assists: 91%
Isuzu D-Max Crew Cab – 5 stars
Adult protection: 86%
Child protection: 86%
Protecting Vulnerable Road Users: 69%
Safety Assists: 83%
DS 9 – 4 stars
Adult protection: 79%
Child protection: 86%
Protecting Vulnerable Road Users: 67%
Safety Assists: 67%
