The European New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) put a 1.7L diesel Opel Mokka (aka Vauxhall Mokka and Buick Encore and related to the Chevy Trax) through its battery of safety tests recently. The subcompact Gamma II-based crossover scored an overall five stars, comprised of 96 percent for adult occupants, 90 percent for child occupants, 67 percent for pedestrian protection, and 100 percent for safety assist systems. Check out the solidity of the Mokka as it goes through the series of crash tests in this video:
As a reminder, Euro NCAP conducts its tests in the following manner:
- Frontal impact test takes place at 64 Km/h with 40 percent of the width of the car striking a deformable barrier
- Side impact test takes place at 50 Km/h with the driver’s door impacting a mobile deformable barrier
- Pole test takes place at 29 Km/h with the car propelled sideways into a rigid pole
NCAP had the following to say about each of the tested areas:
Adult Occupant: 96 percent
“The passenger compartment of the Mokka remained stable in the frontal impact. Protection of the passenger dummy was good for all parts of the body. Dummy readings indicated good protection of the knees and femurs of the front seat passengers. Opel showed that a similar level of protection would be available to occupants of different sizes and to those sat in different positions. The Mokka scored maximum points in the side barrier test, with good protection of all body regions. In the more severe side pole impact, protection of the chest was adequate and that of the head, abdomen and pelvis was good. The seat and head restraint provided good protection against whiplash injury in the event of a rear-end impact.”
Child occupant: 90 percent
“The Mokka scored maximum points based on readings from the 3 year dummy in the dynamic tests. In the frontal impact, forward movement of the head of the 3 year dummy, sat in a forward facing restraint, was not excessive. In the side impact, both dummies were properly contained by the protective shells of their restraints, minimising the risk of head contact with parts of the car’s interior. The passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a rearward-facing restraint to be used in the front passenger seat. Clear information is provided to the driver regarding the status of the airbag and the system was rewarded. The dangers of using a rearward-facing restraint in that seating positions without first disabling the airbag is clearly and permanently indicated.”
Pedestrian: 67 percent
“The bumper scored maximum points, providing good protection to pedestrians’ legs. However, the protection offered by the front edge of the bonnet was poor in all areas tested. In most areas likely to be struck by the head of a child, the bonnet provided good protection. In those areas likely to be struck by an adult’s head, protection was good in some areas but poor or marginal in others.”
Safety Assist: 100
“Electronic stability control is standard equipment on the Mokka and met Euro NCAP’s test requirements. There is a standard-fit seatbelt reminder on the driver, front passenger and rear seats. The Mokka also has a driver-set active speed limitation device as standard equipment and the Mokka scored maximum points for Safety Assist.”
The news of a five-star crash test safety rating for the Mokka comes on the heels of the highest safety rating for the Buick Verano by U.S. agencies IIHS and NHTSA. The Verano is available in Europe as the Opel/Vauxhall Astra sedan.
The GM Authority Take
Say what you will about GM, but the automaker’s expertise in making safe vehicles is second to none.
Download Euro NCAP’s full crash test results (in PDF) here.
Comments
This is mighty impressive. Thirty-five points out of a possible 36 points is rare. GM has come a long way in the last few years when it comes to crash testing, and they are running circles around Ford, I might add.