23.02.2012 EURO NCAP AWARDS THE FACELIFTED JEEP COMPASS JUST TWO STARS

JEEP COMPASS - EURO NCAP CRASH TEST 2012 - 2 STAR
JEEP COMPASS - EURO NCAP CRASH TEST 2012 - 2 STAR
JEEP COMPASS - EURO NCAP CRASH TEST 2012 - 2 STAR
JEEP COMPASS - EURO NCAP CRASH TEST 2012 - 2 STAR

Fiat Group Automobiles' attempts to push Jeep's Compass SUV on European markets has received a significant blow with the news that crash testing body EuroNCAP has awarded the recently facelifted 'soft-roader' just 2 stars. In total the Compass scored 61 percent for Adult Occupancy, 76 percent for Child Occupancy, 23 percent for Pedestrian Safety and 43 percent for Safety Assist.

Fiat Group Automobiles' attempts to push Jeep's Compass SUV on European markets has received a significant blow with the news that crash testing body EuroNCAP has awarded the recently facelifted 'soft-roader' just 2 stars. In total the Compass scored 61 percent for Adult Occupancy, 76 percent for Child Occupancy, 23 percent for Pedestrian Safety and 43 percent for Safety Assist.

EuroNCAP has rejigged its safety rating tests for 2012 and the Compass is one of just two cars tested so far to this new criteria (the other, Honda's new Civic, gained the maximum 5 star rating). EuroNCAP has however also confirmed that five cars tested last year also meet the 2012 criteria: the BMW 1 Series, BMW X1, Ford Focus, Ford Ranger, Mercedes M-class, Nissan LEAF, Subaru XV and Volvo V60.

In a scathing report, EuroNCAP states that the Compass fell short of its metrics in almost every area. "Cars based on older technology, brushed up and marketed as new are not providing the same levels as safety as the newest models developed against the new targets," said Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP Secretary General, in a statement. "Consumers interested in a fair comparison will not be fooled by these results."

The result comes on the back of a difficult recent run in the safety stakes for Fiat Group Automobiles, which had previously made achieving the top level of available safety ratings for its new models a key strategic plank. The new Jeep Grand Cherokee was awarded 4 stars last year, and was singled out for specific criticism, while the new Fiat Panda also missed the top spot and gained only 4 stars while its main rival, VW's up! picked up the maximum 5-star score. Fiat's Freemont minivan (a rebadged Dodge Journey) did, however, gain all 5 stars. The saving grace for Fiat is that the Compass is no more than than a niche player in Europe and has only limited appeal outside the brand's traditional customer base, who tend to overlook the manufacturer's deficiencies.

"Since the revamp of Euro NCAP’s rating in 2009, the safety organisation has upped the ante in safety by raising its criteria for 5 stars annually," Euro NCAP said in a statement yesterday. "In 2012, any car awarded 5 stars should achieve an overall score of at least 80 percent, while scoring at least 80 percent of the available points in Adult Protection, 75 percent in Child Protection, 60 percent in Pedestrian Protection and 60 percent in Safety Assist. This translates into significantly safer vehicles for consumers today, in particular on pedestrian protection offered where the average 5 star car barely exceeded the 25 percent limit just a few years back.

"The recently refreshed Jeep Compass achieved only two stars against the 2012 criteria, underachieving in most areas of Euro NCAP’s assessment," continued the statement published on the Euro NCAP website. "The compact SUV was tested with an optional side thorax airbag but its test results showed a poor protection levels, particularly in the side pole test. In pedestrian protection, the Compass scored a disappointing 23 percent. Compact SUVs are the most popular sport-utility segment in Europe, but the 2011 Jeep Compass did not demonstrate itself as strong contender on safety in comparison to other tested competitors in the same category."

Euro NCAP Jeep Compass - Crash Testing Summary

Adult occupant
The passenger compartment remained stable in the frontal impact. Structures in the dashboard presented a risk of injury to the knees and femurs of both the driver and passenger dummies and the car was penalised. The Compass was tested with an optional side thorax airbag. In the side pole impact, dummy readings of rib deflections indicated a high risk of serious chest injury, even with the airbag fitted, and the car scored no points in that test. In the side barrier test, the car scored maximum points. Euro NCAP has reviewed data supplied by Jeep and concludes that scoring in the side barrier test is not significantly affected by the airbag. The Compass is equipped with an active head restraint. This senses when the car has been struck and deploys the restraint to reduce the distance between the head and the restraint. However, Jeep did not provide evidence to demonstrate that the system operates robustly over a range of speeds and impact severities specified by Euro NCAP, so the system was tested 'passively', without deployment. Test results indicated marginal protection against whiplash injuries in a rear impact.

Child occupant
Forward movement of the head of the 3 year dummy, sat in a forward facing restraint, was not excessive in the frontal impact. In the side impact, both the 3 year and the 18 month dummies were properly contained within the protective shells of their restraints, minimising the risk of contact with parts of the car's interior. The passenger airbag cannot be disabled. The risks of using a rearward facing restraint in that seating position without first disabling the airbag were explained in an English-only label on only one side of the passenger sun visor.

Pedestrian
The bumper scored no points for its protection of pedestrians' legs. The front edge of the bonnet also scored no points, offering poor protection in all areas tested. The bonnet provided good protection in some areas where a child's head might strike, but was poor or marginal in others. In those areas where an adult's head would strike, the bonnet was almost entirely poor. The rating of the Compass is limited to two stars by its performance in pedestrian protection.

Safety assist
Electronic Stability Control is standard equipment. A seatbelt reminder is standard equipment for the driver and front passenger seats but did not meet Euro NCAP's requirements, and was not rewarded. A speed limitation device is not offered on the Jeep Compass.

ItaliaspeedTV - Jeep Compass Euro NCAP Crash Test / Jeep Compass Euro NCAP ESC Test
 

Support Italiaspeed

 

© 2012 Interfuture Media/Italiaspeed