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Euro NCAP has released its latest findings on Assisted Driving systems, revealing a varied landscape in how effectively new cars support drivers. Testing highlighted that while such technology is becoming more common, the user-centricity and safety of these systems differ significantly among manufacturers.
Key Highlights:
- Top Performers: The Kia EV3, Porsche Macan, Renault 5, and Toyota bZ4X all achieved a ‘Very Good’ rating for their Assisted Driving systems.
- Moderate Ratings: Conversely, the Tesla Model S, Volvo EX30, and MG ZS received a ‘Moderate’ rating.
- Good Ratings: The MAZDA CX-80 and XPENG G9 were awarded a ‘Good’ rating.
- Assessment Criteria: Euro NCAP evaluates systems based on Assistance Competence and Safety Backup.
- Tesla’s “Autopilot”: Concerns were raised about Tesla’s “Autopilot” name and marketing suggesting full automation, which Euro NCAP deems inappropriate.
Assisted Driving systems are designed to enhance road safety and driver comfort by utilizing sensors and cameras to monitor the vehicle’s surroundings. These technologies can help maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, keep the car centered in its lane, adjust speed according to limits, and intervene to avoid or lessen the impact of collisions. However, Euro NCAP emphasizes that it is crucial for these systems to keep drivers engaged and responsible for driving, with the technology providing support in emergencies. To offer consumers impartial ratings, Euro NCAP assesses these systems based on two main categories: Assistance Competence and Safety Backup, with the combined weighted score determining the overall Assisted Driving grading.
Assistance Competence considers how clear the information provided to the consumer is, including system limitations and status alerts, the effectiveness of driver monitoring, and how well the system collaborates with the driver, such as allowing overrides. It also assesses speed limit detection and adaptive cruise control performance. Safety Backup evaluates the system’s ability to avoid collisions with various road users, its response to sensor blockages, and how it manages situations where the driver becomes unresponsive.
The Porsche Macan’s ‘InnoDrive with Active Lane-Keeping’ system was highly praised, scoring 85% for Assistance Competence and 92% for Safety Backup. Euro NCAP noted its clear communication of system limitations and driver responsibilities, with system status clearly displayed via a head-up display. The Porsche system effectively monitors driver engagement, issues warnings if hands are off the wheel, and smoothly balances vehicle steering with driver commands. Similarly, the Kia EV3 (74% Assistance Competence, 88% Safety Backup) and Toyota bZ4X (83% Assistance Competence, 89% Safety Backup), both electric family SUVs, demonstrated competent and intuitive systems. The Renault 5’s ‘Active Driver Assist’ package (73% Assistance Competence, 92% Safety Backup) also impressed testers, showing that high-performing systems are not limited to premium vehicles. All four of these vehicles received a ‘Very Good’ rating.
In contrast, some well-known brands did not perform as strongly. The Tesla Model S, despite a high Safety Backup score of 94%, received only 30% for Assistance Competence, leading to an overall ‘Moderate’ rating. Euro NCAP found the name ‘Autopilot’ and associated promotional material to be misleading, suggesting a level of automation not present, which contributed to a downgrade in their score. The system was also found to resist driver steering override attempts and disengages when overridden, limiting collaboration.
The Volvo EX30’s ‘Pilot Assist’ system also received a ‘Moderate’ rating (62% Assistance Competence, 72% Safety Backup). Similar to the Tesla, it uses a centrally mounted touchscreen for alerts, requiring the driver to look away from the road. Furthermore, its strategy for ensuring hands remain on the steering wheel was judged to be unsafe because the assistance system does not disengage even after repeated hands-off alerts. The MG ZS (65% Assistance Competence, 62% Safety Backup) also fell into the ‘Moderate’ category.
Achieving a ‘Good’ rating were the MAZDA CX-80 (62% Assistance Competence, 79% Safety Backup) and the XPENG G9 (71% Assistance Competence, 71% Safety Backup). Euro NCAP stresses that the safe operation of Assisted Driving systems depends on consumers clearly understanding their role as drivers, how to use the system, and its limitations. The tests on these nine cars highlighted significant differences in how effectively current systems support these crucial elements. According to Adriano Palao, AD/ADAS Technical Manager at Euro NCAP, “A well-designed system will co-operate with the driver, appropriately inform about the level of assistance, and ultimately offer crash avoidance in critical situations; otherwise, it may introduce additional risks.”
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