The BMW 1 Series, Citroën C4, Ford Focus, Renault Modus and Seat Altea have received higher Euro NCAP occupant safety ratings than the more expensive, executive-class BMW 5 Series.
The BMW 1 Series, Citroën C4, Ford Focus, Renault Modus and Seat Altea have received higher Euro NCAP occupant safety ratings than the more expensive, executive-class BMW 5 Series.
Euro NCAP’s Phase 15 results were highlighted by the Renault Modus (which will be launched in South Africa in the second quarter of next year) becoming the first supermini to receive a five-star rating for occupant protection.
The Citroën C4, a small family car also due in South Africa next year, scored five stars for Occupant Protection, four stars for Child Protection and a creditable three stars for Pedestrian Protection. Its sibling, the facelifted C5 – classified as a large family car – “performed particularly well in the tests and with a belt reminder fitted to all seating positions underlines the importance of fastening your seat belt”, an NCAP spokesman was quoted as saying.
The Euro NCAP Phase 15 results incorporated 13 new models and one previously tested. Eight models (Modus, C4, Focus, 1 Series, C5, Altea, Audi A6 and Volkswagen Touareg), received the maximum five star rating for occupant safety and nine were given the maximum four star rating for child protection. However, no cars received the maximum four star rating for pedestrian protection and nine models were given merely a one star rating in that category.
Although the 5 Series’ competitor, the Audi A6, and Volkswagen’s luxury SUV, the Touareg, were also rated higher than BMW’s executive saloon for occupant safety (five stars), the Munich-based company will probably be a little embarrassed that its own subcompact, the 1 Series, and several other smaller and cheaper vehicles performed better than the Five in that test category.
Euro NCAP chairman Claes Tingvall said: “Manufacturers have realised that the occupants of smaller vehicles demand optimum safety standards. It is not merely a right reserved for those who can afford executive vehicles.
“It is a major disappointment that nine of the 14 models tested were worthy of just one star (out of four) for Pedestrian Safety. We believe that the public will be demanding more when they make their choice of new vehicle,” he added.
Summary of Results
Superminis:
Renault Modus
Occupant Protection: 5 stars
Child Protection: 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 1 star
Hyundai Getz
Occupant Protection: 4 stars
Child Protection: 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 1 star
Fiat Panda
Occupant Protection: 3 stars
Child Protection: 2 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 1 star
Kia Picanto
Occupant Protection: 3 stars
Child Protection: 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 1 star
Small Family Cars:
Citroën C4
Occupant Protection: 5 stars
Child Protection: 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 3 stars
Ford Focus
Occupant Protection: 5 stars
Child Protection: 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 2 stars
BMW 1-Series
Occupant Protection: 5 stars
Child Protection: 3 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 1 star
Large Family Cars:
Citroën C5
Occupant Protection: 5 stars
Child Protection: 3 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 1 star
Skoda Octavia
Occupant Protection: 4 stars
Child Protection: 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 2 stars
Executive Cars:
Audi A6
Occupant Protection: 5 stars
Child Protection: 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 1 star
BMW 5-Series
Occupant Protection: 4 stars
Child Protection: 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 1 star
Small MPV:
Seat Altea
Occupant Protection: 5 stars
Child Protection: 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 3 stars
Large Off-Roader:
VW Touareg
Occupant Protection: 5 stars
Child Protection: 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 1 star