Euro NCAP rounds off its busiest-ever year with new safety ratings for fifteen more car models. Five stars were awarded to the Hyundai KONA, the Kia Stinger, the fourth generation BMW 6 series and the Jaguar F-PACE released early last year. Three stars were awarded to the MG ZS crossover, the Dacia Duster 2 and the Kia Stonic (five stars with optional safety equipment). The passenger compartment of the Stinger remained stable in the frontal offset test. Dummy readings indicated good protection of the knees and femurs of the driver and passenger. Kia showed that a similar level of protection would be provided to occupants of different sizes and to those sat in different positions. In the full-width rigid barrier test, the pelvis of the rear passenger dummy slipped beneath the lap portion of the seatbelt. Although dummy injury values were not excessive, the car was penalised and protection for this body area rated as poor. Protection of all critical body areas was good for the driver dummy in this test. In the side barrier impact, the Stinger scored maximum points with good protection of all critical parts of the body. Even in the more severe side pole test, protection of the chest was adequate and that of other body areas was good. Tests on the front seats and head restraints demonstrated good protection against whiplash protection in the event of a rear-end collision. A geometric assessment of the rear seats indicated marginal whiplash protection. The Stinger has a standard-fit autonomous emergency braking system. In tests of its functionality at the low speeds at which many whiplash injuries are caused, the system scored maximum points, with collisions avoided at all test speeds.
