Euro NCAP has published the latest safety ratings for nine new cars with some impressive results.
The EQE from Mercedes-Benz earns a maximum five-star rating and is also awarded a ‘Very Good’ rating for its Highway Assist system.
Also achieving top safety ratings are Mazda’s new mid-size crossover SUV CX-60, BMW’s new X1 and 2 Series Active Tourer, and the latest generation of Seat siblings, the Ibiza and Arona. The updated VW Golf keeps pace with newer rivals with a five-star rating, while the Citroen C5 X is awarded four stars.
Mercedes-Benz continues to expand its all-electric EQ range and the EQE sedan becomes the latest model to be rated by Euro NCAP. Like its stablemates, it does not disappoint, its excellent all-round performance earning it a top five-star safety rating.
Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC with Active Steering Assist is available as an option, providing driving assistance on highways. The system is the first to be assessed by Euro NCAP which, if the driver becomes unresponsive, safely manoeuvres the car to the slowest lane before bringing it to a halt.
This function referred to as Active Emergency Stop Assist helps to give the EQE a ‘Very Good’ grading and makes it the highest-scoring car tested by Euro NCAP so far in its Assisted Driving gradings.
The Citroen C5 X, built in China by joint-venture Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën Automobile, is in general a solid performer but did not stand out due to the omission of equipment or marginal performance in some of the active safety tests, Euro NCAP said.
The two Seats also lack some of the latest safety equipment, notably centre airbags, but make up for it in other ways and still qualify for five stars.
The BMW X1 and 2 Series Active Tourer each get five stars with almost identical scores in all parts of the assessment. BMW thus successfully carries over the top ratings for the latest generation of these popular models, despite the tougher protocol requirements of 2022.
Also, the Mazda CX-60 performed well all-round to achieve a well-deserved five star rating.
The facelifted VW Golf 8 earned five stars as well. The Golf 8 was first tested by Euro NCAP in 2019, but the model has recently been updated with the addition of a centre airbag, lap pretensioners, junction assist and a fatigue detection system, which delivered again five stars, this time against the latest test criteria.
Nissan Juke’s hybrid variant is added to the 2019 result of the combustion-engined model. And finally, Chinese brand BYD gets off to flying start in Euro NCAP with five stars for its ATTO 3 crossover SUV.
