The new Suzuki Jimny has scored three stars out of five in the Euro NCAP 2018 crash test rating - the lowest score recorded under new 2018 regulations.
The Jimny’s scores – 73% for adult occupants, 84% for child occupants, 52% for protecting vulnerable road users and 50% for safety assistance systems translate to a three-star rating, with adult occupant protection for the driver’s torso and rear passenger’s head being described as weak in the frontal offset deformable barrier and frontal full width tests respectively. Euro NCAP's assessors noted that in the former, “there was insufficient pressure in the driver's airbag to prevent it from 'bottoming out', allowing the head to contact the steering wheel".
Despite the car’s standard-fit AEB, which Euro NCAP said performed well under testing, the car’s head restraints dragged the system’s score down for not providing adequate protection against whiplash injuries.
For the frontal offset deformable barrier test, the Jimny achieved 'adequate or worse' for driver protection in every measured area except the driver’s neck, which was deemed ‘good’.
Meanwhile, Euro NCAP awarded both the Audi A6 and Volkswagen Touareg five-star ratings, with both cars praised for their vulnerable road user protection - both cars’ autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems have cyclist detection included.
The fourth car in the latest batch of tests, Ford’s Tourneo Connect van-based MPV, achieved four stars. The vehicle comes with lane support and AEB equipped as standard.
Euro NCAP secretary general Michiel van Ratingen said: “Overall, these latest results demonstrate that, as Euro NCAP’s test protocols evolve and become more demanding, a five-star rating remains an achievable although challenging objective for the auto industry.”
“It is particularly positive and welcome that manufacturers are performing well in the assessment of vulnerable road user protection systems such as AEB for cyclists. Euro NCAP has now tested six models which feature this life saving technology. These driver assistance systems are the building blocks for potential automation in the future. Importantly they offer tangible safety benefits today.”
Autocar is awaiting response from a Suzuki spokesman.
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