Top safety marks for Tesla Model S and Range Rover
Latest EVs among 16 models assessed by Euro NCAP, including debutants from Chinese start-upsMore than a decade after it was introduced, and eight years after it was first crash-tested in Europe, the 2023 Tesla Model S has been awarded a fresh five-star rating from Euro NCAP.
The latest version of the US brand’s premium electric sedan was among 16 new models to be assessed by ANCAP’s European affiliate crash safety authority – the largest group of cars it has ever assessed in a single batch – which all bar one received a top five-star ranking.
Letting the side down was Citroen’s premium brand, DS, specifically its new DS 9 sedan, which only managed a four-star rating after a disappointing performance in the frontal offset crash test.
In contrast, top rankings were achieved by new models from little-known Chinese brands including the Nio ET7 and Wey Coffee 02.
For Tesla, the latest Model S received an impressive 94 per cent for adult occupant protection, 91 per cent for child protection, 85 per cent for pedestrian impact and a near-perfect 98 per cent for its driver assist systems.
These are much higher scores in all areas than the Model S achieved under Euro NCAP’s less-stringent testing regime back in 2014.
Also tested was the new-generation Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, with the flagship SUV scoring 84 per cent for adult protection, 87 per cent for child occupants, 72 per cent for pedestrian protection and 82 per cent for its safety systems.
The fractionally smaller Range Rover Sport was awarded 85 per cent for adult protection, 65 per cent for child protection, 69 per cent for pedestrian impact and 82 per cent for its safety systems.
Also tested was the new Hyundai IONIQ 6 that was ranked joint best-in-class for adult protection alongside the Tesla Model Y, achieving 97 per cent, although in other areas it still trailed the ageing Model S with 87 per cent (child), 66 per cent (pedestrian) and 90 per cent (safety assist).
Unsurprisingly, both the Toyota bZ4X and near-identical Subaru Soltera both were awarded 88 per cent for adult occupant protection, 87 per cent for child occupants, 79 per cent for pedestrian impact and 91 per cent for its safety systems.
Other fresh five-star cars include the Smart #1 SUV, new Honda Civic, Nissan Ariya, Renault Austral, Toyota Corolla Cross and the new-generation Nissan X-TRAIL.
The latest Isuzu D-MAX didn’t let the side down either, returning an impressive 86 per cent for adult protection, 86 per cent for kids, 69 per cent for pedestrians and 83 per cent for its safety systems.
In 2023, the Euro NCAP crash testing regime will get a whole lot tougher following new tests for AEB that include scenarios that ensures that motorcycles are detected, as well as introducing fresh tests involving cyclists and pedestrians.
ANCAP is closely aligned to European NCAP and will also introduce tougher new assessment protocols next year.
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