Both the Mazda MX-30, the Japanese brand's first all-electric car, and the new Honda Jazz have scored top marks in the latest round of Euro NCAP crash tests.
MX-30 gets five stars
While NCAP noted that the MX-30 is, because of its batteries, heavier than most of its petrol and diesel rivals (which increases the impact energy) it still scored an impressive 91 per cent protection rating for adult occupants. Mind you, NCAP did note that, in spite of the five-star result, the MX-30 did: "disappoint on its vulnerable road users' collision avoidance capabilities, showing mediocre test performance and lacking more advanced functionalities, such as turn-across-path intervention." The final scores were 91 per cent for adult occupant protection, 87 per cent for child occupant protection, 68 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 73 per cent for safety assist, that last one rating the capabilities of the Mazda's active safety features, such as automatic emergency braking.
Jazz is impressively safe
The new Honda Jazz, although much smaller than the MX-30, scored big with Euro NCAP, winning praise for its "up-to-date safety equipment, including autonomous emergency braking and an all-new centre-mounted airbag that protects driver and front passenger against injuries in far-side crashes." The Jazz also scored five stars, putting it on a par with its great rival, the new Toyota Yaris, which was tested earlier this year. The final scores for the Jazz were 87 per cent adult occupant, 83 per cent child occupant, 80 per cent vulnerable road users, and 76 per cent safety assist.
Tangible impact
Euro NCAP also released results for the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe - it got five stars, with a 94 per cent adult occupant rating, 87 per cent child occupant, 76 per cent vulnerable road users, and 72 per cent safety assist - and the electric Mercedes-Benz EQV MPV. Being as the EQV is based on the existing V-Class, NCAP says the two cars share the same five-star rating, with a 93 per cent score for adult occupants, 87 per cent for child occupants, 67 per cent for vulnerable road users, and 85 per cent for safety assist.
Euro NCAP's Secretary General, Michiel van Ratingen, says "Both Honda and Mazda are to be congratulated for their commitment to safety and for achieving five-star ratings for their cars. The ratings released to date demonstrate that Euro NCAP's new 2020 protocols are having a tangible impact on the safety equipment and crash performance of car models in Europe, including the latest electrified vehicles. Industry's response to consumer ratings remains one the most important drivers for vehicle safety innovation, to the benefit of all road users in Europe."