BMW, Genesis, Mercedes, Nissan, Skoda and Volkswagen were all celebrating five-star Euro NCAP ratings as seven new cars scored strongly on safety in the latest round of crash tests.
Strong results for the BMW iX, Genesis’ G70 and GV70, the Mercedes-EQ EQS, the Nissan Qashqai, the Škoda Fabia and the Volkswagen Caddy came after the organisation slammed Renault for its zero-star result for the facelifted Zoe EV and one-star for the new Dacia Spring crossover.
Fiat’s new 500e EV city car and MG’s Marvel R earned four stars in the final tests of 2021.
Euro NCAP described the new Nissan Qashqai’s safety assistance systems and the Mercedes-EQS’s adult and child occupant protection as “stand-out performances”.
Michiel van Ratingen Secretary General of Euro NCAP, said: “Bravo to these manufacturers for giving consumers the levels of safety they have come to expect.
“These results once more make clear that safety is all about good engineering and less about the type of powertrain or price per se.”
BMW was keen to highlight the performance of its all-new electric vehicle flagship, the BMW iX, in the Euro NCAP tests.
It celebrated testers’ recognition of the model’s new interactive airbag between the driver and front passenger seats and the highest possible score for child safety in the rear.
“The BMW iX sets new standards in sustainability, and its top rating of five stars in the Euro NCAP underlines the vehicle’s comprehensive sustainability concept,” said Dominik Schuster, head of vehicle safety at BMW.
The high-performing Qashqai secured 23.8 point out of a possible 24 for child occupant protection and a maximum 12 points for the child restraint seat installation check among its scores.
David Moss, Nissan Technical Centre Europe’s senior vice president for regional research and Development, said: “From the use of advanced materials, including high-strength steel, in the construction of the vehicle’s body, to the use of passive and active Nissan Intelligent Mobility technology means we can offer a refined, agile drive with enhanced all-round protection. We are really proud of this outstanding result.”
Euro NCAP also verified five new hybrid and electric variants of cars rated in earlier years in its latest safety tests.
The Audi A6 PHEV, the Range Rover Evoque PHEV, the MAZDA 2 Hybrid share the five-star ratings of 2018, 2019 and 2020 respectively.
The Mercedes-EQ EQB is covered under the GLB’s 2019 five-star rating and Nissan’s all-new Townstar, twin to the Renault Kangoo, shares that car’s four-star rating from earlier this year.