Euro NCAP has conducted a series of crash tests of the DS 3 Crossback, the Kia Ceed, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class & GLE, the Skoda Skala, and the all-electric Tesla Model 3. How did they fare?
Beginning with the Model 3, the BEV scored an outstanding 96% in driver’s safety and 86% in children’s safety. Pedestrian safety ranked considerably lower at 74%. On the other hand, electronic driver aids scored an impressive 93%. Overall, the design of the car did not give rise to any major safety concerns, so the committee awarded it 5/5 stars in the end. It did remark that a lateral collision with a rigid obstacle (such as a concrete pole) may lead to the driver receiving chest injuries, while the car’s side pillars were found the largest risk factor for the passers-by.
The Skoda Sсala likewise scored 5 out of 5 stars for safety, detailed as follows: adult passengers: 97%; children: 87%; pedestrians: 81%. Electronic driver aids only scored 76%, mainly because of issues with the speed control algorithm.
The Mercedes-Benz B-Class (minivan) and GLE (SUV) also performed flawlessly, just like their predecessors did many times before. The minivan demonstrated superb driver and passenger protection (96%), as well as children’s safety (90%). Despite that, the committee remarked that the front passenger might still receive severe chest injuries during a head-on collision. Pedestrian protection ranked 78%, while driver aids were given 75% for poor lane keeping performance. The result was still 5 out of 5 stars, though.
In turn, the GLE SUV gained 91% in adult safety, with a reservation that the front passenger might suffer chest trauma in a sideways collision. Children scored one percent lower than that, the neck being the most vulnerable part in a head-on crash, and the pedestrians were given an acceptable 78%. Electronic systems also scored 78%. The verdict: 5/5.
The DS 3 Crossback SUV received the maximum possible rating, too, but note that Euro NCAP only tested it with the preinstalled optional safety package. Furthermore, while the driver and passengers were found to be adequately protected, pedestrian safety was calculated at an appalling 64% (the windshield/a-pillar area being the most dangerous).
The Kia Ceed also landed with five out of five stars, but, once again, only the safety-upgraded version was tested. Furthermore, the committee highlighted a few serious issues. For one, a possibility was discovered for the driver to suffer severe chest trauma in a collision with a rigid stationary obstacle, such as a pole. For another, there are high odds of the passengers getting whiplash neck injuries during an impact from behind.
Photos: euroncap.com