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Despite featuring autonomous emergency braking, emergency lane-keeping systems, intelligent speed limiters, and driver fatigue detection, Euro NCAP noted that both models lack additional active safety features necessary for higher scores.
Dacia, a subsidiary of Renault known for value and affordability, has historically struggled in Euro NCAP assessments due to its limited advanced safety assist features. For instance, the Dacia Jogger scored just one star in 2021. The Duster, like other Dacia models, lacks cyclist dooring prevention, pedestrian-detecting automatic emergency braking when reversing, and child presence detection, which helps keep costs down but disappoints safety assessors.
Dacia Duster:
Suzuki Swift:
The Duster scored better than the Suzuki Swift in adult and child occupant safety but lagged in protecting vulnerable road users and offering driver assistance systems. Despite these differences, both cars received the same three-star rating, unchanged from their previous tests in 2011 (Duster) and 2017 (Swift).
In contrast, Euro NCAP awarded five stars to the latest Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Skoda Kodiaq SUV, and Skoda Superb. However, Euro NCAP mentioned that the E-Class is "uncomfortably close" to losing a star due to poor impact protection, especially for pedestrians' pelvis area.
“This latest release reveals a growing split between the safety ambitions of different car brands,” says Dr. Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General of Euro NCAP. “Some, like Mercedes-Benz, Skoda, VW, BMW, and Renault, are convinced of their customers’ commitment to safety and its higher worth in the product offering. For Dacia and Suzuki, the emphasis is on affordability, but consumers should be in no doubt that there are competitor vehicles to the Duster and the Swift available on the market, which offer considerably higher levels of safety. This is something you cannot put a price on,” van Ratingen added.
Source: Euro NCAP
