The new Taycan and the seven-seater Model X score high in the Passenger and Pedestrian category
The new Porsche Taycan scored five stars during the latest round of Euro NCAP crash testing, coming second only to the Tesla Model X in its category ratings.
The Taycan, tested by the entry-level 4S with a goggle and equipped with a battery performance package, scored over 80% for adult and child occupant safety, with the Euro NCAP stating that “a similar level of protection will be provided for passengers of different sizes and seated positions.”
The Tesla Model X, being tested for the first time since its launch in the UK in 2016, follows in the footsteps of the new Model 3, which also achieved a five-star rating this year. The Euro NCAP evaluated the SUV's autonomous emergency electric braking system, stating that collisions were "prevented or reduced in most cases."
Also received five stars in the NCAP in the penultimate testing round of 2019, the new Ford Kuga, Renault Captur, Audi Q7, Subaru Forester, Ford Mondeo and 2020 Skoda Octavia, testing in shape.
On the Volkswagen Sharan and its Alhambra seat sibling achieved four stars, with the Sharan violating poor performance in the side pole test, in which the left rear door detached on impact, representing what safety experts Thatcham describe as "passenger ejection hazard".
The NCAP stated that while the minivan swap platform has been on sale in its current form since 2010, “Volkswagen Group has done an excellent job in keeping them up to date in terms of safety, with the addition of autonomous emergency braking and rear seat belt load limiters.”
Rounding off the latest round of results is the updated Jeep Renegade, which scored three stars, making it the only vehicle to achieve less than four stars in 2019. The low price of small SUVs result is largely due to a 55% rating on their ability to protect vulnerable road users. Unlike other models tested, autonomous emergency braking isn't set as standard on Renegades.
Euro NCAP Secretary General Michel Van Ratingen said: “Well done Tesla and other performers not only for best in class performance in testing, but also for making security systems available and standard on the European market.
“It's also good to see manufacturers – Ford and Volkswagen in this case – standardizing AEB and keeping safety in mind even for older vehicles, for the benefit of their customers.”
The next round of crash test results will be made public by December 18, 2019.