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Euro NCAP Releases Top Picks of 2012

Jeep Compass and Renault Trafic Have Worse Scores of Year

The Jeep Compass was ranked as one of the two worst cars of the year

The Euro NCAP crash test safety organization has released its list of the safest vehicles that it tested in 2012 by category. It also revealed the worst cars it tested for the year.

Euro NCAP tested 36 cars this year and 26 of them received five-star stories. One car, the Isuzu D-MaxIsuzu D-MaxJapan, 2002 > present39 versions
45 photos
1 video
, had four stars and eight cars had three stars.

The two worst cars that it tested were the Jeep CompassJeep CompassUnited States of America, 2007 > present41 versions
68 photos
and Renault TraficRenault Trafic Gen.2France, 2000 > present125 versions
137 photos
; both received two-star safety scores. The Compass received its scores because it had a 61% adult protection rating, a 76% child protection rating, a 23% pedestrian safety rating and a 43% safety assist rating. Its biggest problem was a lack of pedestrian safety protection and lack of chest and leg protection for front passengers.

The Trafic had a 58% adult rating, 79% child rating, 28% pedestrian rating and 14% safety rating. Its biggest problem was no passenger side air bag and chest and leg injuries to the driver. It also had a poor neck injury rating.

The winners by category all received five-star ratings.

The Renault ClioRenault Clio Gen.4France, 2012 > present92 versions
164 photos
won the supermini class. It had a five-star rating and received a 99% safety assist rating.

The Volvo V40Volvo V40 (modern) Gen.1Sweden, 2013 > present214 versions
390 photos
won the small family class thanks to its 98% adult rating and 100% safety assist rating. It was one of the safest cars that NCAP tested all year.

The BMW 3 SeriesBMW BMW 3 Series Gen.6 [F30/F31]Germany, 2012 > present115 versions
355 photos
1 video
won the large family car class and had a 95% adult safety rating.

The Ford B-MaxFord B-MAX Gen.1United Kingdom, 2011 > present25 versions
106 photos
and Fiat 500LFiat 500 (modern)Italy, 2007 > present240 versions
581 photos
7 videos
tied as the best small MPVs. The 500L had a 94% adult safety rating, compared to 92% from the Ford, but the Ford was slightly better in all other criteria.

The Ford KugaFord KugaUnited Kingdom, 2008 > 201226 versions
49 photos
won best small off-road 4X4. It scored quite well with a 100% safety assist rating and 94% adult rating.

The Hyundai Santa FeHyundai Santa Fe 3Republic of Korea, 2013 > present22 versions
24 photos
won the best large off-road 4X4. It had slightly higher scored compared to the Kuga, except for its 86% safety assist rating.

The Ford Transit CustomFord Transit Gen.8United Kingdom, 2011 > present359 versions
216 photos
took the best business and family van category.

You can view all of Euro NCAP's ratings and more details about the cars that won at its award web site.

Supermini

The Clio won the award for the supermini class and excels in safety technology. It received a 99% score in the category

Small Family

The V40 is among the safest cars on the road today. It won in the small family category. It excels in all criteria in the Euro NCAP test

Large Family Car

The BMW 3 Series took the award in the large family car class thanks in part to its 95% adult safety rating.

Small MPV (tie)

The B-Max is one of the tied winners in the small MPV category. It had high results in all areas, but its co-winner actually beat it slightly in adult safety.

Small MPV (tie)

The 500L is the other co-winner in the small MPV category. It beat the B-Max by 2% in the adult safety rating but otherwise had slightly lower ratings.

Small 4X4

Ford won again with the Kuga in the small 4X4 class. Euro NCAP gave it a 100% rating for its safety equipment and a 94% adult safety rating.

Large 4X4

The Hyundai Santa Fe won the best large 4X4 category. It is offered in five- and seven-passenger versions. It was highly rated except for its 86% safety assist rating.

Business and Family Van

The Ford Transit Custom gives Ford a third win in seven categories. This is the first time that Euro NCAP has awarded business and family vans for its end of the year award. Its pedestrian safety rating was just 48%.