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

That is cool. I would have paid extra money to have that in my car, as I have kids. No they know better, but sometimes forget to buckle up. When they were younger, I can recall surprise trips by them from the rear of the minivan to the front seat area, to 'say hello', by unbuckling. How I would love to be able to tell a toddler, the instant they unbuckled, 'Get that seat belt back on right now!" I would imagine that their surprise at 'knowing' what they did would shock even the most stubborn toddler back into their seat belts.

 

Thanks for the heads up! In reading the comments, you'd have thought it fared just OK overall. Instead, it got a 5-star rating and good percentage scores for occupant protection. I guess they are pickier with their commentary than the IIHS is lol.

Also keep in mind that cars can and do vary from market to market, even in things like structure. While I would assume the Euro version would perform similarly to the USA version, it's also possible they may vary somewhat. As the tests in the USA vary in some ways, they could actually add or omit reinforcements from market to market to save money.

 

I'll take a pic in the morning for you. If you open and close one of the rear passenger doors, when you get back in the drivers seat it's there in the MID scowling at you as a reminder

 

The 77 extra pounds for the US version is probably just factoring the added average US driver weight...

 

The NCAP has very interesting videos demonstrating from poor to good neck protection. Looks like current state of the art is to have the *seat* bend in concert with the neck to keep alignment.

Pretty damned brilliant, IMHO

 

how does the rear seat belt reminder work? I have seen a similar feature on the UK Honda Civic. They had all seating positions displayed in the instrument cluster, and you could tell whether or not any of the passengers were wearing their seatbelts. I like that set-up better than the anoying beeps we get in the US.

 

Lol, or at least all the heavy duty suspension components needed to carry the average US family.

 

Thankfully no beeping - just an illuminated blob!

See pic attached.....

 

Direct link for NCAP video:

Euro NCAP Media | Toyota Prius

 

Very impressive.

Anyone know if the front seats of the tested model have active head restraints?

I also note the Insight did very well, too.

 

Prius 5 Stars Safety - Euro NCAP



According the many news reports, the Euro NCAP that evaluates vehicle safety gave the Prius the top rated, 5 star rating. You can see where cars came in at:

Euro NCAP - For safer cars | HOME
http://www.euroncap.com/Content-Web...09e-a83a-20e8a388de84/safety-comes-clean.aspx - all cars tested in latest batch
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A well designed system and web site, the 2010 (USA model year) came in at:

• 88% - Adult
• 82% - Child
• 68% - Pedestrians
• 86% - Safety assist

These safety ratings should hopefully result in lower insurance premiums for our European friends.

Bob Wilson