Volkswagen’s Tiguan And Jetta Score Five Stars And Ford Figo Reaches Four Stars

The New Car Assessment Programme for Latin America and the Caribbean, Latin NCAP, seventh set of results of 2019 was released today with two Volkswagen models achieving five stars and double Advanced Award and the popular compact Indian made Ford Figo reaching four stars.

The Volkswagen Tiguan, produced in Mexico, reached maximum safety rating for adult and child occupants and was awarded with double Latin NCAP Advanced Awards for pedestrian protection and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB). The popular SUV is equipped with standard 6 airbags: two frontal, two side body plus two curtain airbags and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) achieved a solid five stars result for all occupants with a stable structure. The Tiguan offers standard pedestrian protection following United Nations regulations for which was awarded with a Latin NCAP Advanced Award. A second Advanced Award was earned for the availability of optional AEB in the model. Volkswagen recommended to install both child occupants rearward facing, following latest global best practices, confirming it with high protection score in the dynamic test for child occupants.

The Volkswagen Jetta, manufactured in Mexico, reached maximum safety rating for adult and child occupants and was awarded with double Latin NCAP Advanced Award for pedestrian protection and AEB. The popular sedan made in Mexico equipped with standard 6 airbags: two frontal, two side body plus two curtain airbags and Electronic Stability Controlachieved a solid five stars result for all occupants with stable structure. During the side impact the front door opened bringing one point reduction to the full score but still reaching a five stars score. Door opening in a side impact test is not expected to happen in a vehicle that passes regulation UN95 for side impact. The Jetta offers standard pedestrian protection following United Nations regulations for which was awarded with a Latin NCAP Advanced Award. A second Advanced Award was earned for the availability of optional AEB in the model. Volkswagen recommended to install both child dummies rearward facing, following latest global best practices, confirming it with high protection score in the dynamic test for child occupants.

The Ford Figo, manufactured in India and sold mainly in Mexico, reached four stars for adult and child occupant protection. The popular compact model from Ford in both versions (sedan and hatch) was updated as from 24 august 2018 and as from VIN MAJTKNFZ0KTT67367 with standard 4 airbags: two frontal and two side body airbags and standard Electronic Stability Control. The structure was rated as unstable during the frontal crash test and could not withstand further loadings. It was noticed a large intrusion in the passenger compartment during the side impact test. The Figo offers standard ISOFIX and top tether anchorages in both rear outboard seats and also offers standard Seatbelt Reminders in both front seats. Both child dummies were installed with ISOFIX Child Restraint Systems using the top tether for the 3 years old dummy and support leg for the 18 months old dummy, showing good protection levels. This result is not valid for the similarly looking Ford Ka made in Brazil in any of its versions.

Latin NCAP recommends consumers from the region to only buy cars offering ESC.

Alejandro Furas, Secretary General of Latin NCAP said:
“As Latin NCAP is coming closer to the protocols updates car manufacturers keep surprising with good and encouraging results in popular models for the region. In this case the three models are popular in Mexico where independent consumer information is very much needed to improve the market fast. We encourage car makers to keep improving their models and follow General Motors, Volkswagen, Seat and Toyota in offering 5 star cars. We call governments to incentive and support independent consumer information on vehicle safety soon. Latin NCAP has proved that the changes are possible in the region. Unfortunately some popular models that can not be tested due to limited resources or due to lack of mandatory labeling requirements, it is expected that they will not be improved for better safety”.

Ricardo Morales Rubio, Latin NCAP Chairman said:
“These results show how the most relevant regional markets are aligning and offering more and more safer vehicles. Mexico has a significant delay in governmental regulations regarding vehicle safety but car manufacturers are reacting positively to Latin NCAP tests. Manufacturers such as Volkswagen and Ford in Mexico are committed to offering vehicles that have better levels of safety and equipment than those required by local regulations and strive for this information to reach consumers. We hope that this will be replicated in all other vehicle brands to democratize vehicle safety and continue saving lives in the region”.

Volkswagen Tiguan (6 airbags)
Read the full crash test report
Watch the crash test video
Watch ESC test video
Watch Latin NCAP Advanced Awards video
Download crash test image

Volkswagen Jetta (6 airbags)
Read the full crash test report
Watch the crash test video
Watch ESC test video
Watch Latin NCAP Advanced Awards video
Download crash test image

Ford Figo (4 airbags)
Read the full crash test report
Watch the crash test video
Watch ESC test video
Download crash test image

About Latin NCAP

The Latin New Car Assessment Programme (Latin NCAP) was launched in 2010 to develop a regional system of independent crashworthiness and safety rating across Latin America and Caribbean (LAC). Latin NCAP replicates similar consumer testing programmes developed over the last thirty years in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia, and which have proved to be very effective in improving the safety of motor vehicles. Since 2010 Latin NCAP has published the results of more than one hounded twenty cars, all results available at www.latinncap.com/results.

Latin NCAP acknowledges the support received by the Global New Car Assessment Programme (Global NCAP), International Consumer Research and Testing (ICRT), FIA Foundation, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Road Safety Initiative.

Latin NCAP is an Associate member of Global NCAP and supports the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 and the Stop the Crash Partnership.

More info: www.latinncap.com