The other types of vehicles tested, super-minis and minivans yielded a variety of results. The smallest car tested was Honda's Jazz, a micro-sized five-seat urban runabout vehicle that is rumored to be heading to North America. The hatchback posted a decent four-star rating for frontal and side impact tests with a high 53 percent score in pedestrian safety. Many of Honda's vehicles, including its SUVs and family hatchbacks also scored high in pedestrian protection.
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| Vehicles don't have to be large to protect the occupants within, just well designed. (Photo: EuroNCAP) |
At polar ends of the spectrum, the lowest scoring vehicle as well as one of the highest rated belong to the minivan sector. Fiat's Doblo, an old design that is also not available in North America, posted a three-star frontal and side-impact rating. Its low results were because of a relatively weak body structure which allowed for high levels of deformation in the cabin and floorboards. Because of its tall and box-like front end, it also scored poorly (1 percent) on pedestrian protection. The other MPV tested, the Toyota Corolla Verso, scored very well. Toyota should consider selling the compact people hauler in North America.
The latest EuroNCAP test results clearly show that vehicles don't have to be large to protect the occupants within, just well designed.