Lexus IS300h and Mazda6 earn five stars in EuroNCAP

EuroNCAP has released the data from its latest tests on five models: the Lexus IS300h, Mazda6, Mitsubishi Mirage, Toyota Corolla and Opel Adam. Both the Lexus and the Mazda6 achieved the highest rating possible, while the German people carrier and the Mirage fell just short of perfection with four stars.

Of the three vehicles that earned five stars, the Mazda6 proved it offers near-perfect protection for its occupants in every respect, although it trailed the Lexus slightly in occupant protection. In terms of structural strength, the Lexus had no problems at all and outperformed the Mazda, since the driver’s door of the Mazda came off during the frontal crash test. But the model that came out best in all the frontal and side tests was the Toyota Corolla, although it offered the least protection for pedestrians.

The structural strength values of the Mitsubishi Mirage and the Opel Adam were almost identical, as was their protection for children and adults. The German model did stand out in the greater safety equipment fitted as standard, something EuroNCAP took into account when calculating the final score, which favoured the Adam.

Finally, the four stars for these last two models were due to certain shortcomings in how they would protect passengers in an accident. In the Adam, it was found that there is no adequate protection against cervical injuries caused by a rear-end collision, and the Mirage had some drawbacks with child protection and the positioning of the dedicated child seat anchorages.

Source: EuroNCAP