Euro NCAP scores

[Splash]

Anyone know much about their testing methodology? Are their results better than ours? Worse?
Yes, I've lost my mind and I am looking at crash results from Europe since none are available here.

Five star for adult, three for children. They use little baby dummies in carseats, which I think is utterly fabulous. Britax seats too!

I don't understand though. It said that the side impact was good for head protection for both the 18 month old and 3 year old dummy. For frontal the chest protection was fair for the RF 18 month old dummy and good for the FF 3 year old dummy.

The only comments I can find for the child protection is that you shouldn't use a RF seat in the front without turning off the airbag (duh) and the ISOFIX anchors were not well labeled. Doesn't say anything about the results being bad though.

I know I might be pushing it. I probably am. But even if I don't go with the Mazda, I am still interested to hear more about the Euro NCAPs! I didn't ever think about them before (good thing probably!)

[CPSDarren]

Their frontal test is similar to the IIHS frontal offset test. Their side test appears to be more like the NHTSA side impact test, though it appears they do consider head injury data. Their side pole test is not done here at all.

Japan has crash testing information, also.

The questions you might consider are how the European version of the Mazda5 differs from the USA version, if at all. Since their standards may vary, the safety features may vary, also. Plus, they may equip them with different engines, dashboard designs and other changes to make it more appropriate for that market.

Another question would be how test results compare for identical models and years from the Euro tests to the IIHS/NHTSA tests.

I don't know the answers. I'm sure the Euro testing is just as valid as the tests done by the IIHS and NHTSA. The more good results you have, the safer you are likely to be. Particularly bad results of 3 stars or less are probably a red flag.

[Splash]

Well, from what I see it looks like they are more stringent.
It got the highest possible side impact scores, which you know are my most important scores! But scored 100% for side impact.
I've been looking at other vehicles that they have there that are the same as ours, and they seem to do about the same. Maybe have a bit worse score, but it looks like their testing is actually more stringent. It did better than the 2002 CR-V (which didn't do great here either) and did as well as the VW Touareg and the Volvo XC90, both really safe vehicles.
I tried to find Japan's crash tests. I can't find them. Even if I could, I'm not sure I could read them!

[CPSDarren]

There is a link to the Japanese tests on our Car Safety links page. The trick is to determine the model name in Japan that corresponds to the one they use in the USA.