Euro NCAP has mentioned the rising recognition of SUVs presents a “safety concern” and that its personal security guidelines aren’t responsible for the rising measurement and weight of recent vehicles. 

The Belgium-based security organisation has revealed security rankings for 11 new vehicles in its ultimate spherical of testing for 2023, seven of which have been SUVs: the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, Kia EV9, Vinfast VF8, Xpeng G9, BYD Tang, BYD Seal-U and the Honda ZR-V. It additionally examined the BMW 5 Series, Volkswagen ID 7, Smart #3 and Hyundai Kona Electric, the latter two of that are crossovers.

The majority of the SUVs examined have been awarded 5 stars, however Euro NCAP recommended the pattern in the direction of “heavier, more powerful, and taller cars” dangers the security of different drivers and mentioned they’re extra damaging to the surroundings than smaller, lighter vehicles.

Euro NCAP secretary general Michiel van Ratingen mentioned: “For years, Euro NCAP was accused of pushing up the weight of cars. It was thought that additional safety features meant extra mass. That was never really the case, and the increase in vehicle weight we see nowadays is certainly not safety-related. It’s down to consumer preference for larger vehicles and to electrification, with ever bigger batteries being used to quell consumers’ range anxiety.”

Van Ratingen later went on to elucidate how this pattern “helps neither safety nor the environment”, with security issues rising from a collision state of affairs or when “vulnerable road users” are concerned.

Despite the issues, the newest crop of SUVs carried out nicely in NCAP’s exams. The top-ranking Mercedes EQE SUV scored nicely for its security help expertise however was let down by its central airbag system. The bigger Kia EV9 was awarded 5 stars on account of its protection of kid security gear. 

Also attaining the goal outcome was the Smart #3, nevertheless it was famous that each passengers within the entrance seats made contact throughout a crash and the automobile wasn’t geared up with baby presence detection – a system that triggers a warning to the driving force if a toddler has been left unbuckled of their seat.

Another crossover on check was the second-generation Hyundai Kona Electric, which Euro NCAP mentioned was a “real disappointment” and “lucky to avoid three stars”. Its crash avoidance and driver help programs have been missing and did not characterize sufficient of an enchancment over the earlier Kona. 

Also falling in need of the five-star mark was the Honda ZR-V. Despite being the lightest automobile on check, at 1589kg, it scored 4 stars.

Cars from each China and – for the primary time – Vietnam additionally featured. The BYD Tang, BYD Seal-U, and Xpeng G9 have been awarded 5 stars, with the G9 missing solely in pedestrian head safety and stomach safety for smaller occupants.