Dacia Duster is insanely popular in Europe. But on the safety front, it disappoints badly in the new Euro NCAP crash test.
It is common knowledge that new cars are becoming increasingly safer to stay in during an accident. In fact, it is expected. But not all cars can live up to this kind of thing. Dacia Duster disappoints badly.
With just three out of five possible stars in the assessment of safety, it couldn't just be better, many drivers probably expect it to be better.
Conversely, the level of security is actually exactly the same as in the previous generation. Primarily because Dacia has been able to keep the price down by saving on a number of active safety systems.
Today, cars must be equipped with a wide range of systems if the car brands want to have any hope of selling them within the EU. There must, among other things, be a speed limiter in all cars. Read more about it here .
READ ALSO: First BMW – now Volkswagen can cancel huge contract
In addition, there must be an automatic corner brake and lane keeping assistant. Something Dacia Duster has. But that's it, says Euro NCAP.
It is the Duster's lack of protection for passengers in particular that pulls the assessment in the wrong direction. However, the cheap Romanian is not alone in disappointing.
Suzuki's new Swift also did no better than a three-star rating in the test. The criticism is similar to the one Dacia Duster must receive. Although it is actually even worse in Suzuki's case.
– At Dacia and Suzuki, the emphasis is on cars at affordable prices.
– But consumers should not be in any doubt that there are competing body kits for Duster and Swift available on the market which offer significantly higher levels of safety. It's something you can't put a price on, says Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General of Euro NCAP.
Some cars have performed so poorly in the Euro NCAP test that motorists have been advised against buying them altogether. A few years ago, this applied to, among other things, a popular Renault. Read more about it here .
Read more exciting news from and about the world of cars right here
