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Thinking of buying an SUV?I’ve just been looking at EuroNCAP’s website. Bearing in mind that NCAP are hardly the sworn enemy of the motor industry, the comments from the pedestrian safety bits of their 4x4 SUV reviews make interesting reading:Range Rover (6/100): “This is dire, and Land Rover needs to improve matters.” BMW X5 (6/100): “High vehicles pose problems for pedestrians, especially children, and the X-5 is no exception. Its front is unfriendly and its bonnet top little better; a poor rating” Jeep Cherokee (8/100): “The results were poor. Jeep says it has not attempted to incorporate pedestrian protection in the design” [the mind boggles at Jeep’s comment] Kia Sorrento (8/100): “Only the part of the bonnet where an adult’s head might strike offered cushioning. Otherwise, the Sorento’s front end scored nothing. This is a very poor result” Mercedes-Benz M class (11/100): “a dismal performance” Vauxhall Frontera (6/100): “Protection offered for pedestrians by the Frontera proved to be dire” Suzuki Grand Vitara (0/100): “Protection was dire and scored no points” Volkswagen Toareg (19/100): “This does not match the protection provided to occupants. The front gave some cushioning where an adult’s head would most likely strike. But the child head impact areas and particularly the bumper and leading edge of the bonnet were very unfriendly” Volva XC90 (28/100): “The bumper and bonnet leading edge were unforgiving. But the top of the bonnet protected children’s and adult’s heads to give the XC90 a two-star rating. Volvo needs to work harder to improve pedestrian safety.” Land Rover Freelander (19/100): “The bonnet leading edge and bumper were particularly unforgiving” Mitsubishi Pajero Pinin (3/100): “The Pajero came close to scoring no points and no stars. Of all the areas tested only one site on the bonnet gave any cushioning at all for a pedestrian in a collision. Euro NCAP criticised this poor showing and has urged Mitsubishi to do more to protect pedestrians” Nissan X-trail (28/100) Even the very “safest” star performer, the Honda CR-V, only scored 53/100 for pedestrian safety. This is all thoroughly depressing reading, and suggests that, despite the loud insistence of certain folk, drivers should be free to choose whatever car they want without suffering criticism at around the same time I’m free to walk down the street without my life being put at risk by their choices. I can only hope that the people who bought these things to make their children safer are planning to drive their children around for the rest of their lives. This line is a permanent link - use it if you want to bookmark or link to this news item  RSS feed. 
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