NCAP results

Latest Safety Tests

EuroNCAP has just released the results of its latest round of safety tests, and while most cars are performing well in occupant safety, NCAP chairman Claes Tingval also saw fit to fire a warning shot across the bows of some car makers. According to him, although occupant scores are improving all the time, not enough is being done to protect pedestrians.

"I am continually disappointed by the lack of commitment and effort shown by manufacturers to improving the level of pedestrian protection in their vehicles" he said. "This is an area where there are few front-runners and massive room for improvement.”

In the latest round, the Fiat Bravo scored 5-star for adult occupant protection, 3-stars for child protection and 2-stars for pedestrian impact. The Toyota Corolla saloon scored 5-stars adult, 4-stars child and 3-stars pedestrian, with the Honda CR-V winning 4-stars adult, 4-stars child and 2-stars pedestrian.

The Mitsubishi Outlander scored 4-stars adult, 3-stars child and 2-stars pedestrian and the Hond Legend managed 5-stars adult, 4-stars child and 3-stars pedestrian.

But just last week, EuroNCAP had to rap Chrysler over the knuckles for the poor crash performance of its Voyager MPV, which didn't score sufficient points for even a 3-star occupant rating. “I find it shocking that, in seven years, this manufacturer has not been able to improve the safety of this MPV - a car that is clearly targeting families" said Mr Tingval. "Still worse is that Chrysler continues to sell this version in [right-hand-drive markets] whilst a better-equipped and better-performing version is available in left hand drive across the rest of Europe. I do hope that Chrysler intends to show a greater commitment to safety in the future.”

Find out how safe your car is at www.euroncap.com