Crash test results: Jaguar XF, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Renault Fluence Z.E. miss top safety rating

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By Tim Beissmann | November 24th, 2011

The Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jaguar XF and Renault Fluence Z.E. electric car have all missed out on the maximum safety rating in the latest round of Euro NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) crash testing.

Five-star NCAP results have become commonplace in recent years for all types of vehicles, though the Grand Cherokee, XF and Fluence Z.E. were awarded only four stars.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee lost marks because of structural issues with the driver’s seat and substandard child occupant protection. During Euro NCAP’s frontal impact test, the driver’s inboard seat rail almost broke in half and was mainly held together by the steel rod that controls fore-aft seat adjustments. The break resulted in additional forward movement of the dummy, causing the airbag to ‘bottom out’ (when the driver’s head makes contact with the steering wheel through the airbag fabric).

Jeep has informed Euro NCAP it is investigating the cause of the seat rail failure and intends to improve the seat track design, but currently has no plans to re-work existing vehicles.

The Grand Cherokee also lost all points for protection of the three-year-old dummy, as its head contacted the trim of the rear door pillar during the frontal impact test.

The Renault Fluence Z.E. underachieved in driver, passenger and pedestrian protection. Like the Jeep, the driver’s airbag bottomed out – in the case of the Renault because there was insufficient pressure in the bag. Renault has informed Euro NCAP it is investigating the issue and intends to make improvements.

The Euro NCAP testing revealed structures of electric Fluence’s dashboard presented a hazard to the knees and femurs of the driver and passenger, while the bonnet provided poor protection for the heads of adult and child pedestrians. The Renault Fluence Z.E. will be available to fleet customers in Canberra in the second quarter of 2012 before going on sale to the public at selected dealers in the final quarter of the year.

The Jaguar XF was already awarded a four-star rating in 2010 but was retested by Euro NCAP to assess the Model Year 2012 upgrade. As the model refresh did not include any structural or internal changes, the results for the frontal, side and pole tests were carried over. Jaguar has improved the active bonnet sensing system and made slight modifications to the bodywork at the front of the car. Euro NCAP said the pedestrian safety results were “noticeably better”, especially for child head protection.

The improved pedestrian results were not enough to improve the XF’s four-star rating however. Structures in the dashboard still pose a risk of injury to front-seat occupants, only “weak” protection is offered for the ribs of passengers in the side pole test, and there is only marginal protection from whiplash in rear-end collisions.

Three other vehicles, including the Geely Emgrand EC7 and the MG6 from China, and the Fiat Panda, also achieved four stars. Euro NCAP secretary general Michael van Ratingen said the four-star results marked a milestone for the Chinese manufacturers.

Eight vehicles achieved the maximum five-star rating in Euro NCAP’s final test group of the year: Chevrolet Malibu and Volt, Kia Rio, Mercedes-Benz B-Class and C-Class Coupe, Range Rover Evoque, Seat Mii, Skoda Citigo, Subaru XV, and Volkswagen Beetle and Up!.

Euro NCAP made special mention of the Subaru XV and the Volkswagen Beetle, which both scored 90 per cent in the child occupant protection criteria, the maximum score awarded so far for this assessment.

trippyfoo

wow, that’s surprising for the Jeep, given it’s target market and price. Esp given it’s underpinnings.

The Jag, im surprised since previous test, that its still marked as a 4 star – can’t use that as a selling point.
laurie

“Structures in the dashboard still pose a risk of injury to front-seat occupants”
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This is sadly not a good impression for Jag XF, amazing car yet they failed the safety protection of the driver
Martin

Christ – just goes to show the luxury marques aren’t all the same. You would have thought that price tag would come with a 5-star rating minimum.
Able

I really, really, really love the XF but I think it’s appalling that an $80k+ car (and it is possible to spend $300k on a fully-optioned XFR) doesn’t receive a 5-star safety rating. The 5-series, E-class and A6 that the XF competes with are leaders in safety; Jaguar really need to raise the bar here!

I’m a little surprised at the Grand Cherokee too but considering it’s a massive car in itself, I’m sure size is enough for most people. And the crappy little Renault (whether it be electric or not)? Meh, though I would expect more from Renault who’ve made their last decade or so about how all their cars have 5-star safety ratings so it is a little disappointing.
http://caradvice OSU811

XF is a BIG surprise! I really thought this was already rated at 5 stars!, Good on Subaru again to prove they still have safety as a high priority!.
Monk

Subaru managed the 5th star by active crash avoidance – the car looked so ugly people steered clear of it.
123321

They all are getting 5 stars now. But there’s a huge difference between the real life safety rating of the 5 star cars. I know which 5 star cars I am going to get.
laurie

So does this affect the insurance policy on the Jag XF or any other car with 4 Star rating!
Alex

Does the original Fluence carry a five star rating?
Zaps

I just don’t understand how a small city car like the Volkswagen Up! is considered safer than a large Jaguar XF, based on their respective star rating..

Smoothcall

It’s not.

The test results are only applicable for accidents involving cars of a similar weight.

Here is a quote from Euro NCAP:

“In frontal impacts between cars, the occupants of the heavier car or the one with higher structures tend to fare better than those travelling in lighter, lower cars. As it is not possible to simulate the influence of mass in a test against a fixed barrier, Euro NCAP recommends comparison only between cars which are of a similar mass (+/- 150kg) and in the same category. Such comparisons allow the relative safety performance of cars to be judged accurately.”

K-Pop

But there was an episode on fifth gear (search youtube) which showed that the smaller renault fared much better than the bigger and heavier volvo in a head on into each other. Interesting to watch…..

But i agree that in general, if you were to crash your little suzuki alto (6 airbags, 5 start rating) into a big 4×4 you’d still be hurt pretty badly. There’s only so much energy a little car can absorb.

Sanjay

err, the Fifth Gear test was between a modern Renault and a 20 year old Volvo…of course the car with the more modern crash technology will fare better.

Put a Kia Rio against a Jeep Grand Cherokee…well, I’ll take the ‘four star’ seat in the Cherokee thanks.

Dave

The seats in the 2012 XF were reworked including the head restraints, why was this not retested, if they did not retest it how do they know that whiplash protection is marginal?

Why don’t Jag just throw in driver and passenger Knee airbags to put them ahead off the germans and rear Side airbags like merc and audi??