Euro NCAP - Small Off Roaders (4x4)

Land Rover Freelander 2 NCAP

Euro NCAP today releases test results for two new small off-roaders, the Land Rover Freelander 2 and the Suzuki Grand Vitara. Euro NCAP is pleased to announce that the Land Rover Freelander 2 achieved the maximum award of five stars for adult occupant protection. The Freelander 2 is the first small off-roader to achieve such a result, proving size is no obstacle to safety.

Euro NCAP tested its first small off-roader in 2002 (a Honda CR-V) and since then has tested nine cars in this category. Until today, the maximum score achieved in adult occupant protection by manufacturers in this category was four stars. Euro NCAP first tested the Land Rover Freelander in 2003, when it achieved a result of three stars in the adult rating.

Euro NCAP Secretary General, Adrian Hobbs said I am delighted that Land Rover has made such an improvement to the level of protection offered to its occupants. It is perhaps surprising that, until now, no small off-roader has managed to achieve a five star rating. I am disappointed though that the company has not invested the same effort into improving the level of protection it offers to pedestrians. In this recent test, the Freelander 2 only achieved one star in pedestrian protection, just as it did in 2003. It concerns me that manufacturers are still not considering the dangers posed by their vehicles in relation to the outside environment.

The Suzuki Grand Vitara, whose test results are also released today, provided better pedestrian protection than the Freelander 2, becoming only the third small off-roader to be awarded three stars, the highest pedestrian rating so far awarded in this category. In adult occupant protection, the Grand Vitara achieved a reasonable four star score.
Summary of Results

SMALL OFF-ROADERS

Land Rover Freelander 2
Occupant Protection: 5 stars
Child Protection: 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 1 star

Suzuki Grand Vitara
Occupant Protection: 4 stars
Child Protection: 3 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 3 stars