New VWs score five-star Euro NCAP ratings

THOUGH neither has yet been ANCAP tested, the new Volkswagen Amarok ute and all-electric ID. Buzz people mover (under consideration for local consumption) have both achieved five-star safety ratings in the final round of Euro NCAP testing for 2022.

Both overall ratings should translate to the Australian market as Euro NCAP and ANCAP collaborate and share data, though the latter does apply a specific set of locally relevant criteria that can affect outcomes.

Volkswagen says the two commercial vehicles attained top Euro NCAP marks in part because of their robust structures and a comprehensive array of active safety assistance systems fitted as standard.

In the Amarok’s case, the Ranger’s five-star ANCAP rating has been reflected in Europe but the European result for the VW ute is yet to be applied locally and ANCAP says it will publish ratings closer to the Amarok’s local on sale date.

Interestingly, in achieving their top ranking of five stars both Amarok and ID. Buzz were rated as ‘very good’ in some test assessments.

The ID. Buzz, with styling that harks back to old VW Kombi vans, has chalked up strong sales in Europe since it was launched but as yet it has not been given the green light for Australia even though, behind the scenes, VW execs are talking about a ‘possible’ 2024 launch date.

As for the Amarok, it gained the top Euro NCAP rating partly as a result of being a twin-under-the-skin with Ford’s new Ranger ute that was recently tested by ANCAP.

Euro NCAP says: “The VW Amarok and Ford Ranger are corporate twins with identical structure and safety equipment. The two vehicles share a common rating, derived from some tests performed on the Ranger by ANCAP and some tests performed by Euro NCAP on the Amarok.”

Although different in appearance, the two utes share enough in both left- and right-hand drive formats to satisfy testing methodology at both organisations.

ANCAP and Euro NCAP technical reports reveal minor differences in the performance of child seats/restraints and advanced safety systems of the vehicles, likely due to the unique child seat requirements and standard equipment lists in each market.

The Amarok’s ‘very good’ scores for the front and side crash tests were achieved in combination with VW-specific child seats.

For example, Euro NCAP scores Amarok at 84 per cent for adult occupant protection, 90 per cent for child occupant protection, 74 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 84 per cent for safety assist.

While on the other hand, ANCAPs ratings are respectively 84 per cent, 93 per cent, 74 per cent and 83 per cent. 

The ID. Buzz is equipped as standard with driver, front-seat passenger, knee bags, centre and side airbags in the cockpit, plus curtain airbags, helping it score 92 per cent for adult occupant protection and 87 per cent for child occupant protection.

VW says the electric MPV achieved an excellent result thanks to the combination of the airbags and appropriately laid-out vehicle body structure.

Additionally, the electric MPV features a multitude of modern assistance and emergency braking systems that gained it a 90 per cent score in the safety assist category.

Euro NCAP gave the new Amarok (due for European launch early next year) a similarly high points total in crash tests as the ID. Buzz. 

A top score was awarded to both for accident avoidance as in both cases numerous standard and/or optional assistance and emergency braking systems are at the driver’s disposal, which VW says impressed the testers.