Euro NCAP has published its first results of 2022 with the safety ratings of seven vehicles, including electric vehicles from Renault and Lexus achieving five stars.
The Megane E-TECH, the first Renault model based on their new dedicated electric vehicle platform, achieved the top safety rating, as does the new Lexus NX.
July 2022 sees the introduction of new vehicle safety legislation, mandating the fitment of important safety systems such as autonomous braking and speed assistance on new vehicle types. And it will be a busy one for Euro NCAP too, in its 25th year, with many cars lined up for testing and with plans for a new roadmap to set the course for safety for the next decade.
In the meantime, car manufacturers continue to recognize the value that consumers and fleet operators place on a good Euro NCAP rating.
The Lexus NX, available as normal and plug-in hybrid, shares the same platform as the RAV4 from its parent company Toyota. While the car performed well in tests and scored enough points to qualify for five stars.
Leading Renault’s electric car offensive, the Megane E-Tech is an all-new, all-electric compact hatchback launched to regain lost ground in Europe’s popular family car segment. With improved body and restraint systems, and strong performance from advanced driver assistance systems such as AEB, the 5-star Megane E-Tech demonstrates that Renault understands how to engineer cars that are not only attractive but are clean and safe at the same time.
Matthew Avery, chief research strategy officer offered his perspective on the latest safety test results from Euro NCAP:
“This first set of Euro NCAP results for 2022 represents a great start to the year from a safety perspective. And although there are several conventionally fuelled vehicles here, we are continuing to see more and more EV options for consumers with strong safety credentials.
“It’s also good to see a return to five-star form for Renault. The Megane E-Tech has high levels of all-round safety and an especially good child occupant score of 88% – making it a great EV choice for families.”
Secretary general, Michiel van Ratingen, said: “It’s good to start the anniversary year with some high-performing cars. Euro NCAP has been setting the standard for car safety for twenty-five years. The next ten will bring huge challenges, with assisted and automated driving very much at the forefront of the changes ahead. Our focus on ADAS – advanced driver assistance systems – over the last ten years or so makes us well-placed to rate these new aspects of vehicle technology and to continue to provide key information to car buyers in the future.
Also, Euro NCAP has published the ratings for the Volkswagen ID.5, sharing the 2021 five-star rating awarded to the nearly identical ID.4.
