How safe is a Range Rover?
I recently had a baby, which has inevitably given me a different perspective on various aspects of my life such as the safety credentials of my car. I've convinced myself that my Range Rover is one of the safest cars on the road, but I don't know if its NCAP rating backs this up? I often hear that large SUVs are more likely to turn over in an accident compared to the standard car but I don't know if this is true or just scaremongering?
Phillip Cawley (Avoca, Wicklow)May 2010 Filed under: safety
Expert answer
Family drivers have this instinct to cocoon them in as much metal as possible for fear of being in an accident so I understand where you are coming from.
The NCAP rating you mention is the European New Car Assessment Programme where the safety of cars is tested by crashing them into walls and pillars and all sorts under strict repeatable conditions. It's been a while since the Range Rover has been crash tested by the organisation, eight years in fact, so it was the first generation of the current Range Rover model and it managed four stars in the test. In summary, the model was good at protecting those in the car, but not those outside it. NCAP said in their report at the time:
"The Range Rover has an immensely strong body that provides for its occupants safe, well balanced protection in severe frontal and lateral impacts. Each of its doors could be opened normally after the tests and the amount of intrusion was slight. However, the driver experienced fairly high impact forces on his chest and, in a real crash, these pose a risk of injury. The child restraints worked well generally. But, unfortunately, the level of protection given to pedestrians proved to be dire."
The 2010 model is quite different from the 2002 version and is loaded with safety kit. Four-wheel, anti-lock disc brakes are standard, as is all-terrain traction control. Additionally, an adaptive cruise control system with Brake Assist will alert the driver if the car in front of the Range Rover starts to decelerate. When the system detects a crash is imminent, it primes the brakes so less force is required from the driver to apply full braking power. If no action is taken by the driver, the system will lightly apply the brakes to lessen the severity of the impact.
When it comes to airbags, the 2010 Range Rover is practically stuffed with them. In the front row there are front, side and side curtain airbags, plus a driver's knee airbag. In the second row, side-curtain airbags are standard.
Hope that all helps put your mind at ease.
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