This result puts the Avenger in the same category as the budget-friendly Dacia Duster. It's a surprise for a new model, as most fresh designs easily grab five stars these days. The poor showing comes after the Avenger won the 2023 European Car of the Year award and got lots of praise from car journalists.
Euro NCAP's tests showed several weak spots in the Avenger's safety performance. The car scored 79% for adult occupant protection, 70% for child occupant protection, 59% for vulnerable road users, and just 53% for safety assist features.
One big problem was the lack of chest protection for a 10-year-old dummy in the side impact test. The Avenger also doesn't have a child presence detection system, which many other cars now include as standard.
The Jeep struggled in crash avoidance tests too, particularly when it came to protecting pedestrians, motorcyclists, and cyclists. Its forward collision warning system had such a weak audio signal that Stellantis, Jeep's parent company, had to offer an update after Euro NCAP kept pushing for improvements.
Dr. Michiel van Ratingen, the Secretary General of Euro NCAP, didn't hold back in his criticism:
"These test results demonstrate a clear lack of ambition for a manufacturer that has shown much innovation in its car design and for a brand that is directly targeting the family segment. There is growing competition in the car industry, and Stellantis has had to take several steps to secure the future of its brands. But safety should not be where a car manufacturer makes its savings."
Euro NCAP will test the closely-related Fiat 600 and Alfa Romeo Junior SUVs soon. Their results might shed more light on Stellantis's approach to safety in this vehicle family.
The new Dacia Duster, built on Renault-sourced underpinnings, also got tested. It scored 70% for adult occupant protection, 84% for child occupant protection, 60% for vulnerable road users, and 57% for safety assist features.
Source: Euro NCAP
