Results from the latest batch of vehicles to be tested by Euro NCAP and its partners have been announced today.
The Hyundai NEXO is the first hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle that Euro NCAP has tested, and it is positive to see it achieving a maximum five star rating.
The fourth generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class, the Mazda 6 and Lexus ES all also achieve a maximum five stars. The Peugeot Rifter and its stablemates, the Citroën Berlingo and Opel Combo, achieve 4 stars.
Of the cars tested by Euro NCAP the Mercedes A-Class and Hyundai NEXO have ‘Highway Assist’ options. Highway Assist technologies combine Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Centring and Speed Assist Systems to support drivers in driving situations on motorways. These systems were assessed for the first time by Euro NCAP recently, to help consumers better understand the limits of the systems and to not over-rely on them.
Both cars were considered to offer a good balance of support, “with little risk of driver over-reliance on the system(s).”
In this group of five and four-star rated cars, the Hyundai NEXO was singled out for praise by experts.
“The fuel cell NEXO and hybrid ES point the way for future powertrains and Euro NCAP will work to ensure that safety performance as well as energy efficiency remains at the top of the manufacturers’ agenda. This is a satisfying set of solid test results and we are pleased that cars continue to perform well in the AEB tests, including for pedestrians and cyclists. It is very welcome to see manufacturers rising to Euro NCAP’s challenge of effective vulnerable road user protection,” Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General of Euro NCAP said.
Matthew Avery, Director of Research, Thatcham Research comments, “The Hyundai NEXO is the first hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle that Euro NCAP has tested. Its five-star safety rating should dispel concerns around how hydrogen fuel cell powered cars perform in a crash. With the NEXO, Hyundai have successfully demonstrated that alternative fuelled vehicles need not pose a risk to car safety.”
