BMW 2-Series Coupe Scores Four Stars In Euro NCAP, VW Polo Facelift Gets Praised With Five

EuroNCAP published the first results of the year including safety ratings of seven vehicles. The fully electric Renault Megane E-Tech, the Lexus NX, the recently facelifted VW Polo, and the VW Taigo scored five stars, while the BMW 2-Series scored four stars.

The other scores were carried over from earlier tests of sibling models, with the five-star VW ID.5 electric coupe-SUV inheriting the scores of the ID.4, and the five-star Ford Tourneo Connect passenger van based on the light commercial vehicle getting identical scores with the VW Caddy.

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Starting with the BMW 2-Series Coupe which surprisingly was the only car from this group coming one star short of the top rating, it was doomed by the autonomous emergency braking system. While the latter performed “adequately” in basic scenarios with cars and pedestrians, it was “limited” in cyclist crossing and turning across path. Still, with 82% in adult protection, 81% in child protection, 67% in vulnerable road users, and 64% in safety assist, the two-door BMW achieved a four star rating.

EuroNCAP praised VW for adding safety upgrades to the Polo supermini during the latest facelift, including center airbags and better ADAS, rewarding it with a five star rating with 94% in adult protection, 80% in child protection, 70% in vulnerable road users, and 70% in safety assist.

Predictably, the mechanically related VW Taigo got similar scores, being a little better in child protection (84%) and in vulnerable road users (71%) due to the different coupe-SUV bodystyle.

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With five stars, the brand new Renault Megane E-Tech was exactly the opposite of the aging Renault Zoe which scored zero stars last December. The fully electric compact crossover from France scored 85% in adult protection, 88% in child protection, 65% in vulnerable road users, and 79% in safety assist showcasing strong performance in ADAS.

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As for the Lexus NX which is sharing its platform with the Toyota RAV4, while it performed quite well in the actual tests (83% in adult protection, 87% in child protection, 83% in vulnerable road users, and 91% in safety assist), EuroNCAP said that Lexus engineers didn’t provide all technical information to them, “leaving a careless impression that is atypical for a Toyota brand”. This of course didn’t affect the five-star rating of both the ICE-powered and the Plug-in Hybrid variants.

Starting from July 2022 the new safety legislation will mandate the fitment of autonomous braking and speed assistance on additional vehicle types. EuroNCAP, which is celebrating its 25th year, is expected to announce a roadmap for the next decade with Secretary-General, Michiel van Ratingen, saying that “The next ten years will bring huge challenges, with assisted and automated driving very much at the forefront of the changes ahead”.