What are the safest cars sold in Europe? Euro NCAP 2022 results
The last series of safety tests in 2022, conducted by the European Committee for Independent Crash Tests, showed the expected, but at the same time interesting results. What are the safest models sold in Europe? Discover the Euro NCAP 2022 results.
5 stars for safety have been awarded to the following models: the Chery FX (Omoda 5) SUV, the MG 4 Electric hatchback, the Lucid Air luxury electric sedan, the Lexus RX SUV, the Mercedes-Benz GLC fifth-generation luxury compact SUV, the Volkswagen Amarok pick-up, which was the main support vehicle for the Dakar Rally, one of the world’s best-selling pick-ups, the powerful and practical Ford Ranger mid-size SUV, the Land Rover Discovery Sport SUV, the Maxus MIFA 9 electric minivan and Volkswagen’s new ‘electric bee’ ID BUZZ, the German company’s first production electric minivan.
We regret to report that the following candidates only managed to obtain 4 stars: the new Ford Puma compact SUV, which is delivered to Israel, the Volkswagen Touran, which once became the most popular compact van in Europe, as well as the new Peugeot 408. Interestingly, the test results for the latter were based on the test results of the associated model, the third generation Peugeot 308, which is not yet available on the Israeli market.
Chery FX
Perhaps the most curious participant in the European crash tests was the Chinese SUV, the Chery Omoda 5. This elegant, youthful vehicle is already on its way to Israel, so it’s especially important for us to know how safe it is. On our market, it will be sold as Chery FX. The SUV has received rich equipment and a lot of electronic assistants. From the entry-level version, the ADAS safety complex includes: autonomous braking system with detection of two-wheeled vehicles and pedestrians, lane keeping system, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam, a blind spot monitoring system and automatic switching from high beam to low beam. In addition, it is equipped with seven airbags. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that the new Chery FX has obtained the maximum five stars. The Chery Omoda 5 is expected to be delivered under the name Chery FX to Israel in 2023, the estimated cost is 139,990 shekels.
MG 4 Electric
Another five-star owner is also a Chinese car, but with British roots, the MG 4 Electric. It has been produced since 2022 by the British brand MG, owned by the Chinese car manufacturer SAIC. In Europe, the new compact electric hatchback is offered with two 400-volt batteries to choose from: with a capacity of 51 and 64 kWh, with the driving range of 350 and 450 km (WLTP cycle), respectively. The only electric motor is located on the rear axle: it produces 125 kW (168 hp) in the version with a 51 kWh battery and 150 kW (204 hp) in the version with a 64 kWh battery. It is not yet available in Israel.
Lucid Air
This high-end electric sedan is designed by the American-Chinese company Lucid Motors. The first production units of the Lucid Air were released in 2021. The model is positioned as the most comfortable of all existing electric cars in the world. The top-end Dream Edition version offers a driving range of 832 km. With a 1,000 horsepower motor, the Air can claim the title of the fastest electric car in the world. In the latest tests, the super sedan was able to accelerate to 350 km/h. And now we know it’s also safe! It also has a 5 star rating.
Lexus RX
Japanese premium brand’s best-selling SUV, the Lexus RX, has changed generations, passed to the new GA-K global platform, received upgraded plug-in hybrid units, a new exterior and interior design, as well as an updated infotainment system and the latest safety systems. The RX is absolutely new. The center of gravity has become lower, and the car itself is lighter than the “fourth” RX. Therefore, it has deservedly received 5 stars for safety. It is still unknown when it will be delivered to Israel.
Land Rover Discovery Sport
An excellent all-wheel-drive SUV from British automaker Land Rover is being sold in Israel for 311,787 shekels, including its restyled version in 2019. All trim levels of the Land Rover Discovery Sport have 7 airbags, central locking, rear camera, rear and front parking sensors, cruise control or adaptive cruise control, ABS and ASR, a lane control system, a driver fatigue sensor, hill descent and start assist, a brake assist system, a collision avoidance system, ESP and a steering stabilization system. 5 stars for safety are well deserved!
Skoda Octavia
The Skoda Octavia has also received five stars. The Czech Octavia has always been considered the benchmark for a family car with a high level of attention to detail. The practicality of the sedan is manifested in everything: smartphone holders built into the ashtray, an ice scraper located in the gas tank hatch, a trunk with various shelves/straps/holders, the possibility of installing seat belts security for the four-legged companions. The advantage of the model lies in its basic equipment: there is nothing superfluous, for which you have to overpay. The Octavia in Israel is presented in two body styles: a liftback and an estate. The cheapest option is a liftback with a 110 hp engine and a 7-speed robotic gearbox. The model is front-wheel drive. The same model but in estate body will cost nearly 6,000 shekels more.
Mercedes-Benz GLC
We could not ignore the new Mercedes-Benz GLC restyled in 2019, which, as expected, received 5 stars. The luxury compact SUV was equipped with a modified set of electronic assistants: the adaptive cruise control activates by itself after stops in traffic jams, and using the navigator, the system recognizes in advance the tail of the traffic jam and slows down smoothly. A trailer parking assistant has appeared: a sensor in the coupling allows dynamic markers to be projected on the display of the reversing camera. All models are fitted with seven airbags, central locking, front and rear child seat anchorage, rear view camera or surround view camera in Premium Plus, adaptive cruise control, drive mode selection system, front and rear parking sensors, an automatic parking system, a braking and collision avoidance system, as well as ESP.
Ford Puma
The developers have paid great attention to the question of the safety of the Ford Puma. The small SUV has a CoPilot 360 electronic complex, which notably includes 2 cameras, 3 radars and 12 ultrasonic sensors. There is the adaptive cruise control, which is also able to keep the vehicle in the occupied lane, and the new assistants include the Wrong Way Alert system, which recognizes prohibition signs and triggers the alarm if the driver is driving in the prohibited direction. In addition, the SUV has a parking assistant, a tire pressure sensor, an emergency brake assist system and is able to prevent collisions by recognizing pedestrians. Israeli versions come standard with all of the above systems and functions. And despite all this, it only has 4 stars.
