E-cars in official crash test: A crowd favorite performs poorly

The crash testers of the safety organization Euro NCAP put eight new electric models to the test. While seven of them achieved the top result, the popular Jeep Avenger disappointed with an average result.

In the current Euro NCAP test run, eight new electric car models are competing against each other, most of them from the competitive SUV segment. Seven of the vehicles tested received the highest star rating in the ranking, in which new cars can achieve a maximum of five stars. Among them is the Chinese SUV coupe G6 from Xpeng. However, the crash testers say that the Stellantis Group needs considerable improvement, as the Jeep Avenger mini SUV, which is particularly popular with families, apparently has safety defects.

Euro NCAP awards seven top ratings in the overall ranking

This year, various electric cars will be tested by Euro NCAP. The testers carry out a series of crash and safety tests in the areas of passenger protection, child safety, pedestrian protection and active safety on new vehicles and then assess their safety. The car experts ultimately award a maximum of five stars. Since the independent Euro NCAP is not a government regulatory authority, the results only serve as a guide for car manufacturers and consumers.

In the current test run, the experts are taking a close look at new electric car models. While there were still a few exotic models last year, in 2024 only the seven-seater MIFA 7 from the Chinese manufacturer Maxus will stand out. In addition to Maxus, three other car manufacturers from the Middle Kingdom – Zeekr, Nio and Xpeng – are taking part in the tests. The three SUVs Audi Q6 e-tron, Ford Explorer and Jeep Avenger are also included. As in 2023, the majority of the new cars tested achieved a fantastic test result with five stars each.

Consumption (combined) 16.0 kWh/100 km, CO2 emissions (combined) 0.0g/km, CO2 class A note

First place goes to the compact SUV Zeekr X from Geely. The power machine achieves excellent results in the subcategories and the testers award the model five stars. Zeekr is represented twice in the ranking. The revised first model 001, which EFAHRER.com has put through its paces in the past, comes in third place in the crash test.

The safety organization's latest results are evidence of ambitious, innovative thinking, as only a decade ago, new vehicles from Chinese brands often failed safety tests with embarrassing results. Now they easily achieve top ratings.

Consumption (combined) 18.5 kWh/100 km, CO2 emissions (combined) 0.0g/km, CO2 class A note

Zeekr in first place, closely followed by the traditional brand Audi

The Audi Q6 e-tron follows closely behind the Zeekr X. Apparently, the Ingolstadt-based company believes that good things take time. The launch of the electric SUV has been postponed several times. The testers awarded it five stars and had hardly any complaints. There is only a small need for optimization in the areas of pedestrian protection and assistance systems.

Consumption (combined) 19.1 kWh/100 km, CO2 emissions (combined) 0.0g/km, CO2 class A note

The list continues in third to sixth place with vehicles from Chinese brands, which all receive the top rating. The big unknown is the Maxus MIFA 7, which comes in fourth behind the Zeekr 001. The company, which is particularly strong in the commercial vehicle sector, recently attracted attention with the all-electric T90 pick-up. Behind the Maxus is Nio's mid-range SUV EL6. The chic SUV, which received a deduction in the EFAHRER test mainly due to its relatively short range, achieved the best result in occupant protection with 93 percent. However, the Euro NCAP test crashers found room for improvement in the pedestrian protection and active safety categories.

Consumption (combined) 21.2 kWh/100 km, CO2 emissions (combined) 0.0g/km, CO2 class A note

Automotive experts also rate the inexpensive and stylish SUV crossover Xpeng G6 as being very safe. Similar to Nio's EL6, Xpeng's newcomer impresses with its occupant protection and, according to the testers, needs to improve on pedestrians and assistance systems. The highest rating of five stars in the overall ranking also goes to the Ford Explorer, which is produced in Cologne and is due to arrive in Germany this summer after delays.

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Consumption (combined) 17.0 kWh/100 km, CO2 emissions (combined) 0.0g/km, CO2 class A note

Last in the Euro NCAP crash test: The Jeep Avenger

Far behind the remaining seven, the compact and award-winning SUV Jeep Avenger takes last place in the overall ranking with three stars. Still named Car of the Year in 2023, the small family car surprises with mediocre safety standards. The latest EFAHRER test also shows that the small Jeep has some shortcomings that spoil the driving pleasure. The Euro NCAP safety experts rate occupant protection at 79 percent and the protection of children at just 70 percent. They attest to a lack of ambition in the designers of the Avenger, which is part of the Stellantis Group. Trust is good, but according to the experts, it should not be carried on the shoulders of safety. The testers evaluate the Avenger particularly carefully in the area of ​​pedestrian protection. You can see why in the video:

What is particularly scary is how the Avenger runs over several pedestrian and cyclist dummies in the test. In this respect, the 59 percent that the car received in this category quickly seems generous. At 53 percent, the safety systems are rated even slightly worse. The Stellantis Group responded generously to the results of the Brussels-based safety organization, as the automobile portal Autocar reports. The Euro NCAP's suggestions will be taken seriously and taken into account in the further production process.