Ford EcoSport and BMW i3 get 4-star safety rating

Since a long time now, Euro NCAP's (New Car Assessment Program) star rating scheme has been providing customers an easy to understand score as regards a vehicle's overall safety. The system considers the tiniest of details when it comes to occupant safety protection, including frontal, side, pole and rear impacts apart from child and pedestrian protection, and the availability of driver aids.

Euro NCAP analyzed 11 vehicles in its latest round of testing, with many rated as top performers and receiving a full 5-star score. The top performers were the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, the new Mazda 3, Peugeot's 308 family hatchback, the Maserati Ghibli saloon and the Infiniti Q50.

Speaking of BMW's first mass-produced electric car-the i3 city, the car recorded strong results in the adult and child occupant protection categories but missed out on a maximum 5-star score due to weaker showings in the pedestrian protection and safety assist classes. The i3 also performed well in the side impact barrier test, scoring a maximum eight points, with good protection of all body regions. But the area where it lacked was the side impact pole test, which simulates hitting a lamppost side-on.

On the other hand, the new Ford EcoSport also scored an excellent 93 per cent score for adults and 77 per cent for children, while winning praise for its performance in the tough side pole test. But it let down in areas of pedestrian impact protection–particularly in the pelvic area and the lack of rear-seat seatbelt reminders and speed limitation device.

Other cars awarded a 4-star safety rating  include Nissan Note, Mercedes-Benz Citan Kombi MPV and Volkswagen's T5 van.