3rd Gen Prius scores max 5 in Euro NCAP Crash Testing

Let's wait a bit of time for official results from EuroNCAP. New Prius results are not yet officialy out as only 2004 model is still listed:

Euro NCAP - For safer cars | Toyota Prius

 

I think it's overall, based on NCAP's tests for:

The tests explained

• 
  Frontal impact
• 
  Car to Car Side impact
• 
  Pole Side Impact
• 
  Child protection
• 
  Pedestrian protection
• 
  Whiplash
• 
  ESC
• 
  Seat belt reminders
• 
  Speed limitation devices

 

Toyota's new cars generally do hit 5 stars - both the iQ and new Avensis managed 5 stars, both with over 90% in the Adult Occupant rating, Avensis managing 86% in the Child rating. Pedestrian Safety only in the mid 50s on both cars, but this is quite good compared to some other new cars. Safety Assist will be 86% for the new Prius as all models get VSC+, but 'speed limitation assist' isn't offered.

The rating system changed this year so old ratings aren't directly comparable. In the old system you weren't supposed to quote the Adult Occupant rating only, but many did.

Five stars is really the minimum target for any new car, as so many other cars have already achieved it. In fact as far as I can see, the only 2009 ratings not five stars are the Citroen C3 Picasso MPV, Subaru Impreza (both managed four stars), and Suzuki Alto (only three stars).

 

While I do not recall the exact thread, I do recall that Doug, from the Prius team mentioned a while back that due to some regulation change in the US, next year's cars will weigh slightly more due to some additional steel to meet the new safety requirements.

I wonder if the vehicles sent to the us maybe meet a different standard than the ones used in the 'Euro NCAP" crash testing. In other words, would the current US models score as highly as these?

Does anyone know the weight specs for the Euro and Asian models as compared to the Us spec cars? I know there will be a slight variance to equipment availability, but specifically I would like to know if there is a significant difference to to structural steel.

 

It is quite likely that Prii destined for US market would have different Euro NCAP car crash results than those destined for European markets. But I think difference should not be huge. I doubt they would make several structurally quite different safety designs for each market. The differences are usually in details. Like VSC+ not being standard in old US model, while it was standard for all EU models.

Ogo

 

Well you guys in the US have bigger cars on the roads than here in Europe. So the additional steel is probably for the eventuality the Prius gets raped by a SUV or some other assorted fuel sucking pig.

 

On paper a US Prius is 77lb heavier than a Dutch Prius. However keep in mind that weight determination is done by certain rules, and these rules may differ between the US and Europe. I cannot imagine that the basic structure of a US Prius is different from a European Prius.

 

Don't think so. Equipment wise there is not much difference between the basic European and US models. There is only one weight specified for all US versions (II, III, IV and V) and that is 3042lb. The same applies to the Dutch versions, there it is 1345kg.

 

UK Model is listed at 1,370 – 1,420kg depending on package - it's a bloater

 

That is funny. Like I wrote in an other thread on this forum, the UK versions look almost stripped compared to the top Dutch versions. In fact I think that our Executive version is about the most complete Prius version in the world (excl. extra packages etc.).

To make things even more funny, for the road tax the car is listed with a weight of 1203kg. Since it is a hybrid, the weight of the electrical propulsion system is deducted from the actual weight. I just love the sense of humour of politicians.

 

Interesting points in the report, if you click on 'Comments" section. I especially like the last one, I highlighted below in RED.

"Adult occupant
The passenger compartment remained stable in the frontal impact. The dummy readings indicated good protection of the knees and femurs. Toyota showed that occupants of different sizes and those sat in different seating positions would be offered a similar level of protection. The car scored maximum points in the side barrier test. In the more severe side pole impact, protection of the chest was rated as marginal. Likewise, marginal protection was provided by the front seats and head restraints against whiplash injuries in a rear impact.

Child occupant
The head of the 3 year dummy, sat in a forward facing seat, did not move forward excessively in the frontal impact. The heads of both dummies were properly contained within the shell of their respective restraints in the side impact. The passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a rearward facing child restraint to be used in that seating position. The dangers of doing so without first disabling the airbag are clearly explained in a label which is permanently attached to the sun visor.

Pedestrian
The bonnet offered good protection in most areas likely to be struck by a child's head. Protection of an adult's head was predominantly good or marginal, as was the protection offered to pedestrians' legs by the bumper and the front edge of the bonnet.

Safety assist
Electronic stability control is standard equipment, as is a seatbelt reminder system for the driver and front and rear passengers"

I would love to know if this is a typo, or is there a reason that the European versions have seat belt reminders for the rear passengers?

Otherwise, it is good news to hear that this car is so safe!