The Dacia Lodgy has been blasted by testers at Euro NCAP for its 'unexceptional' performance in the latest round of safety tests by the organisation.
Of the fifteen cars assessed during the final Euro NCAP test of the year the Dacia was the only vehicle not to score a full five stars; it was awarded a lowly three stars with below average scores in all categories. Instances of the A-pillar deforming badly, the transmission tunnel dangerously separating from the floor panel and extending into the driver's foot well were highlighted.
"It is disappointing to see the Lodgy do badly in our tests," said Dr Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General of Euro NCAP. "The Lodgy is a budget vehicle and customers will accept compromises in comfort and performance, but not safety. Euro NCAP believes that occupants' safety should be paramount, regardless of how much they pay for their vehicle."
Of the other cars tested (Fiat 500L, Ford Fiesta, Ford Kuga, Hyundai Santa Fe, Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Mitsubishi Outlander, Opel Mokka, SEAT Leon, Skoda Rapid, SEAT Toledo, Subaru Forester, new Range Rover, Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid and the seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf), the Golf, A-Class and Fiesta were commended for their advanced safety features including Multi Collision Brake system, Attention Assist and Ford's MyKey system that allows owners to pre-programme certain safety features for particular drivers.
"Programmable keys open up a whole new range of possibilities, not just for parents and their children," said Dr Michiel van Ratingen. "The technology will also be of interest to companies with safe-driving policies and I look forward to more widespread application of this sort of system in the future."