Euro NCAP is publishing the results of the supermini Opel Karl, the roadster sport Mazda MX-5 and the new generation Hyundai Tucson.
The Opel Karl supermini – or Vauxhall Viva in the UK – has been awarded four stars in Euro NCAP’s latest round of safety tests. The result is a commendable one for a car in this segment but, nevertheless, the tests revealed disappointing results in several areas of assessment. In the frontal offset test the head bottomed out the airbag and in the pole impact chest protection was rated as poor. Chest protection of the rear female passenger was rated as weak in the full-width rigid barrier test while the female driver slipped under the seatbelt, resulting in a poor rating for protection of the knees and femurs. Euro NCAP would have expected to see better optimised restraints for a newly-released car. Still, the Karl made it to four stars, a decent result for a supermini in 2015.
The Mazda MX-5 also achieved a four star rating, as did the Audi TT, also in the roadster sports category, earlier this year. The Mazda showed good all-round performance, and exceptional pedestrian protection. However, like the TT, the fourth generation MX-5 is not fitted with AEB, which is disappointing as many similarly-priced cars in other segments offer this safety equipment, at least as option.
Finally, the new Hyundai Tucson was awarded the maximum five star rating. The new generation compact SUV achieved high scores in all areas of assessment. When compared to its predecessor tested in 2006, the new Tuscon showed a worthy evolution in terms of safety all-round, and more specifically in safety assist, offering lane departure warning and AEB as option.
