2022 Volkswagen Polo awarded five stars by Euro NCAP
The 2022 Volkswagen Polo has been awarded a maximum five-star safety rating by European safety testing body Euro NCAP. In the first round of 2022 tests, the Polo gained its ratings in all four areas of safety: adult and child occupant protection, vulnerable road users – cyclists and pedestrians – and standard assist systems.
Based on factors including frontal and lateral impacts and whiplash tests, the Polo scored 94 per cent in the ‘Occupant protection for adults’ category. One safety feature of all new Polos is a centre airbag for the front seats, which, in the event of a side collision, can help to prevent or reduce possible head contact between front seat occupants.
Child protection
For child protection, the Polo achieved an 80 per cent rating. Assessing the protection provided by child restraint systems in frontal or lateral impacts, the score also takes into account the options for the installation of child seats of various sizes, and the equipment a vehicle offers for the safe transportation of children.
In the ‘Assist systems’ category, the Polo achieved 70 per cent. As standard, all Polos feature a Driver Alert System, a Front Assist emergency braking system with city emergency braking function and pedestrian detection, as well as a Lane Assist lane keeping assistant.
Emergency braking systems
Euro NCAP also examines how well automatic emergency braking systems protect vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. Here, the Polo scored 70 per cent. Its standard-fit Front Assist system recognises critical distance situations by using a radar sensor and camera, helping to shorten stopping distances. In more dangerous situations, the system warns the driver both visually and acoustically, and by issuing a braking jolt and automatic braking.
As well as the five stars achieved by the Polo, the new Volkswagen Taigo small SUV – closely related to the Polo – and the all-electric ID 5 were also awarded maximum Euro NCAP safety ratings. First launched in 1997, 2022 marks 25 years of the Euro NCAP safety assessment programme, and in that time, testing procedures and the requirements of standard assistance systems and passive safety have become increasingly rigorous.