EuroNCAP has released results from its latest round of crash tests, with a surprising result for the Jeep Avenger, the brand's first electric model and Europe's 2023 "Car of the Year." Despite the accolade, the Avenger received only three stars, with EuroNCAP experts criticizing its poor side-impact protection for children and lack of a rear seat child reminder system.
The organization also pointed out the vehicle’s ineffective forward collision warning system (later corrected in newer models) and poor performance in detecting pedestrians and cyclists. "While Stellantis has taken steps to secure the future of its brands, safety should not be compromised," EuroNCAP commented.
Renault also faced disappointment, with its Captur and Symbioz models receiving four stars. While the Captur earned five stars in both 2013 and 2019, the recent facelift led to a new test where EuroNCAP issued a stinging critique. "Renault, once a leader in safety, now appears to no longer aim for the top," they remarked.
On the brighter side, several models earned five stars, including the Xpeng G6, which recently arrived in Israel, continuing the trend of high safety ratings for Chinese vehicles. Subaru’s Crosstrek and its sibling model, the Impreza, also maintained their top ratings.
In the luxury segment, the Audi Q6 e-tron electric SUV secured five stars, excelling in protecting both adult and child passengers with scores of 91% and 92%, respectively.
EuroNCAP also announced it will now include crash tests for heavy vehicles, which account for just 3% of vehicles in Europe but are involved in nearly 15% of accidents with casualties. The results for seven trucks, including models from DAF, Iveco, MAN, Mercedes, Renault, Scania, and Volvo, will be released on November 20.
Crash tests have long driven automakers to enhance safety standards, but constant updates to testing criteria raise the bar, making it harder for older models to maintain top ratings.
Jeep’s Avenger, which shares a platform with the Peugeot 2008 and Opel Mokka—both previously higher-rated—may struggle to meet today’s more stringent standards. Similarly, Renault’s Captur, once a top performer, now falls short. As EuroNCAP suggests, when assessing a car’s safety rating, it’s important to check the test date, not just the star count.