Mondeo and Tiguan score five stars in Euro NCAP

An SUV and a medium-sized passenger car have both scored maximum points for passenger safety in the latest round of Euro NCAP testing. Ford's Mondeo, the Volkswagen Tiguan and the Hyundai i30 were all tested.

The Ford and the Volkswagen achieved the five-star rating for the leading category, passenger safety. In fact, their scores were a mirror image across all three categories of testing. Both scored four stars for child safety and two for pedestrian safety.

Volkswagen claims the Tiguan's results are class-leading among SUV-style vehicles. The highly rigid passenger cell undoubtedly contributed to the car's side impact crash safety, according to the manufacturer.

ISOFIX labelling and passenger airbag-disable information seemed to be the issues that prevented the Tiguan from scoring the full five stars for child safety. The design of the bonnet's leading edge was a significant factor in the Volkswagen's two-star result in pedestrian safety. Unlike the other two categories, pedestrian safety only rates a four-star maximum.

Euro NCAP offered no criticism whatsoever of the Mondeo's passenger safety. The same issues that detracted from the Tiguan's four-star child safety rating also applied to the Mondeo.

In respect of pedestrian safety, the leading edge of the Mondeo's bonnet left something to be desired and the impact force potential for adult heads was a cause for concern.

The i30 scored respectable figures for a small car, achieving four stars for passenger safety, three stars for child safety and two for pedestrian safety.

All three cars are on the way to Australia and Volkswagen has been quick to pick up and run with the test results.

Traditionally, local manufacturers like Ford have not trumpeted NCAP results, even with their imported models. It will be interesting to see whether Mondeo's five-star rating is a significant part of Ford's launch message.