Euro NCAP rounds off 2022 with 14 cars tested
Euro NCAP has released the results for its final group of cars for 2022, with only three of the 14 cars tested not achieving its maximum five-star safety rating.
Reflecting the diversity of vehicles tested in 2022, today’s grouping includes three Chinese cars, superminis, family cars, off-roaders, MPVs, pick-ups and four premium vehicles including the Lucid Air.
Lucid, one of many new brands tested by Euro NCAP in 2022, brings its ‘Air’ model to Europe and impresses with a five-star rating.
Positioned very much in the premium segment and comprehensively equipped with the latest safety technology, the Lucid Air hold its own against cars such as the Tesla Model S, published last month, and other high-end vehicles such as the Lexus RX and Land Rover Discovery Sport, both large off-roaders, and the smaller Mercedes-Benz GLC, all published today.
But US-based Lucid is an exception in a year which has been notable for the number of new Chinese brands coming to Europe.
Chery, well-established in other regions of the world, comes to Europe with the OMODA5 small off-roader, and SAIC’s Maxus introduced the MIFA 9, a large MPV, and both deliver five-star results.
MG, another SAIC brand, continues its run of success with a top safety rating for its MG 4, a small, electric family car.
This year has also seen the trend towards electrification accelerate. Volkswagen’s new-but-retro ID. Buzz is an all-electric take on a large MPV. It was also recently named Continental Tyres Irish Car of the Year 2023.
Bucking the trend, though, are combustion-engined twins, the Ford Ranger and VW Amarok pick-ups, which combine traditional powertrains with up-to-date safety technology.
“2022 has been one of Euro NCAP’s busiest-ever years and we have seen a lot of new car makers and new technologies,” said Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP secretary general.
“It’s clear that European consumers still demand the highest levels of safety and that a good Euro NCAP rating is seen by car manufacturers as critical to success here. Twenty-five years since it first started, Euro NCAP is still driving ever-higher levels of safety and our protocols for 2023 will brings exciting, tough new challenges to the car industry.”
Family cars were also part of this month’s release: the larger Skoda Octavia received five stars for its performance in Euro NCAP’s tests.
The Ford Puma supermini and the Volkswagen Touran small MPV, both reassessments of aging but updated cars, missed out on five stars due to challenges in adult occupant protection.
The Peugeot 408, a small family car based on the 308-model released earlier in the year, also achieved only a four-star rating. The Citroen C4 X also scored four stars.
