Euro NCAP says the Jeep Avenger rates only three stars for safety performance. It was let down by a suboptimal rear child protection score and inadequate collision avoidance systems.
The Jeep Avenger scored reasonably well for overall adult (79 per cent) and child (70 per cent) protection. However, the small crossover received poor scores for side-impact protection of 10-year-old rear seat occupants.
Moreover, its autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system was said to be poorly responsive. Euro NCAP testers also said it lacked a child presence detection system. The Avenger scored 59 per cent for vulnerable road users and 53 per cent for safety assist features.
The results suggested “a clear lack of ambition” from Jeep.
Euro NCAP secretary general Michiel van Ratingen felt that despite growing competition, safety should not be where a car manufacturer makes its savings.
Stellantis commented “We remain dedicated to offering customers clean, safe and affordable mobility with products that fulfill the most stringent regulations across the world.
“We strive to enhance the safety features of each new generation of vehicles. As part of our ongoing product improvement efforts, we consider the new third-party assessments and integrate proven technological solutions into our engineering process where relevant.
“Stellantis believes there is no single way to measure vehicle safety. Third-party assessments are one of many inputs used when designing the safety of our vehicles.”
Euro NCAP updated its testing regimen last year to include child presence detection systems, stricter standards for cars submerged in water and new technologies for recognition of vulnerable road users.
In its latest round of testing, Euro NCAP awarded four stars to the Renault Captur and Renault Symbioz. Five stars went to the Audi Q6 E-tron, Ford Explorer, Subaru Crosstrek, Subaru Impreza and Xpeng G6.
