The Renault Zoe achieved exactly zero stars for safety in the final round of Euro NCAP testing of 2021. The Dacia Spring didn’t do much better, achieving just one star.
The testing used crash test dummies to simulate real-life impacts, and rated the Renault Zoe ‘poor’ in a frontal offset collision due to weak protection for the chest area of the driver, while the severe side pole test found that the driver’s head was directly impacted by the intruding pole.
Matthew Avery, Thatcham Research’s Chief Research Strategy Officer and Euro NCAP board member said, “It is a serious concern to see results like this in 2021, especially from a carmaker who has previously performed well in Euro NCAP testing. Renault was the first to achieve the full five-star rating in 2001, in part because it was also the first to include a combined head and thorax airbag in the Laguna 2. Unfortunately, a conscious decision has been made to remove the head protection from this vital passive safety feature, by the brand that pioneered the use of it. As a result, the safety of occupants within the vehicle has been severely impacted.”
He said the adult occupant score of 43% for the Renault Zoe was the lowest recorded in 11 years, while the model scored just 14% in the Safety Assist category.
Meanwhile, the Dacia Spring scored 49% in Adult Occupant Protection and 56% for Child Occupant Protection.
Avery said, “The six-year-old dummy had weak protection, suggesting the forces of a crash could end in serious neck and head injuries. This is anything but a safe family car, despite being marketed as a good option for families.”
Other vehicles included in this round of testing performed very well, with the BMW iX and Genesis G70 and GV70 receiving five-star ratings.
