17.11.2022
Five stars conquered by fifteen models. Four for DS 9
Of the sixteen cars tested in the seventh Euro NCAP series 2022, fifteen achieve the maximum rating of five stars, only the DS 9 gets four stars.
The cars analyzed include the all-electric Tesla Model S and NIO ET7, which earned top marks in the Green NCAP assessment last week. Followed by the electric Toyota bZ4X and the twin Subaru Solterra; Hyundai IONIQ 6, (with a commendable 97% in adult protection); Honda Civic; Isuzu Dmax crew cab; Toyota Corolla Cross; Nissan Ariya and X Trail; Renault Austral; Land Rover Range Rover and Range Rover Sport; smart #1 and WEY Coffee 02. The DS 9 earned one star less due to the penalty in the head-on collision test and for having an ‘aggressive’ impact against other vehicles.
“Manufacturers are eager to achieve good test scores as the protocols introduced for 2023 will be more stringent and provide more challenges for vehicle development,” said Angelo Sticchi Damiani, president of the Automobile Club of Italy. In the coming year, in line with its Vision 2030, Euro NCAP will focus on a number of new aspects: autonomous emergency braking (AEB) protocols for motorcycles and new passive safety scenarios for pedestrians and cyclists, extending the area where these vulnerable users could interact with a vehicle, a much-needed advance in safety for other road users.”
To encourage safety developments, vehicle upgrades and to further protect Euro NCAP allows vehicle manufacturers to re-test or re-evaluate the same car following significant safety improvements. Among the various vehicles, the Volkswagen Golf (tested for the first time in 2019) and the Isuzu D-Max Crew Cab benefited from it this year.