Crash test safety experts at Euro NCAP have awarded the Nissan LEAF the top rating for safety, the first all-electric car to achieve this. The LEAF scored a full five-star ranking for crash test-worthiness with an 89% rating for adult protection, an 84% score for its on-board safety systems and 83% mark for child safety.
For pedestrian safety, the LEAF scored 65%, which is higher than the current average. It was helped by not having a traditional engine under the LEAF's bonnet, so there are fewer 'hard points' for a pedestrian to collide with.
Euro NCAP has also rated the hybrid Lexus CT 200h in its latest round of crash tests. The Lexus scored even better than the LEAF for adult and child protection with scores of 94% and 84% respectively, while also earning 86% for safety assistance to the Nissan's 84% score.
Ford performed well with its new Focus too, earning 92% for adult safety and 82% for child safety. The Focus is also the first car to achieve two Euro NCAP Advanced rewards for additional safety aids for the Ford's Active City Stop and Lane Keeping Aid.
Other cars tested in latest round of Euro NCAP results were the Citroen DS4 (90% adult safety, 80% child safety), Peugeot's new 508 (90% adults safety, 87% child safety) and the Volvo V60 (94% adult safety, 82% child safety).
Alisdair Suttie - 26 May 2011