Suzuki Jimny scores just three stars in Euro NCAP test

The Suzuki Jimny SUV has scored three stars in Euro NCAP crash tests, disappointing safety experts. Meanwhile, the Audi A6 saloon and Volkswagen Touareg luxury SUV achieved the full five stars, while the Ford Tourneo Connect MPV was awarded four.

Euro NCAP experts criticised one of the Suzuki Jimny's key pieces of safety kit, concluding that its Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) system "showed weak performance in tests of its pedestrian avoidance in daylight and does not operate in low light."

Thatcham Research' director Matthew Avery, commented, "The Suzuki Jimny’s performance in testing betrays its ostensibly rugged exterior. As a completely new vehicle, it should offer far more protection to drivers in the event of an accident. Its safety technology did not perform optimally either. The youthful audience the Suzuki Jimny has been designed for deserve better in terms of passive and active safety.”

It was awarded 73% for adult occupant protection, with the score reduced because of an airbag that didn't inflate sufficiently to prevent the driver's head contacting the steering wheel. The front seats were found to only offer 'marginal' protection against whiplash and there was significant deformation of the passenger area in offset impact tests. Child occupant protection was given an encouraging 84%, but the Jimny only scored 50% in the Safety Assist category.

The Audi A6 put in a strong performance, with a 93% score for adult occupant protection and an impressive 81% in the recently added vulnerable road users category. This tests how well vehicles can detect and help avoid accidents with pedestrians and cyclists.

Sitting at the top of its model line-up, the Volkswagen Touareg is bristling with safety tech and scored five stars, with 89% for adult occupant protection. It managed figures of 86%, 72% and 81% for child occupant, vulnerable road users and safety assist respectively.

While it didn't quite manage five stars, the Ford Tourneo Connect proved it's one of the safest van-based MPVs on the market. It features a large number of driver aids "which all performed well in testing" according to Thatcham Research. It scored an impressive 92% for adult occupant protection.