Peter Lyon
September 14, 2024
As has been reported in numerous publications and testing bodies including IIHS ( Insurance Institute for Highway Safety), Subaru makes one of the safest cars on the road. And the new Crosstrek is not exception. In fact, that attention to detail—safety that is—belies every car the brand makes.
Subaru Europe, a subsidiary of Subaru Corporation, announced this week that the new Crosstrek model has just achieved the maximum five-star overall rating in the 2024 European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP).
The Crosstrek is an over-achiever—registering scores above the required threshold in all four key assessment areas, Adult Occupant, Child Occupant, Vulnerable Road Users and Safety Assistance. This achievement results in all Subaru models on sale in Europe having attained Euro NCAP five-star status.
In the Child Occupant assessment area, the Crosstrek was one of the best-performing vehicles tested in 2024, attaining the maximum points in Crash Test Performance (both frontal and lateral impact) based on 6 & 10-year-old children, and CRS installation checks. Good protection was provided for all critical body regions during the frontal offset test and the more severe side pole impact tests, with maximum points scored in this part of the assessment.
The Crosstrek is equipped with a robust system that automatically disables the front passenger airbag when a rearward-facing child restraint is used in that seating position. The Crosstrek is also equipped with an indirect ‘child presence detection’ system (i.e. Rear Seat Reminder), which issues a warning when it recognises that a child or infant may have been left in the car. Yes, folks, apparently that happens quite a lot!
For the Vulnerable Road Users assessment area, the new Crosstrek attained the maximum points for AEB Cyclist and Lane Support Motorcyclists. The system’s performance in the detection of, and reaction to, cyclists and motorcyclists was good across all tested scenarios.
Regarding the Adult Occupant assessments, the Subaru Crosstrek scored maximum points in the side barrier test and the more severe side-pole impact, as the protection of all critical body regions was good. Tests on the front seats and head restraints demonstrated protection against whiplash injuries in the event of a rear-end collision. A geometric analysis of the rear seats also indicated whiplash protection. The tests further showed that while the passenger compartment remained stable in the frontal offset test, the dummy readings indicated good protection of the knees and femurs of both the driver and passenger while demonstrating a similar level of protection for occupants of different sizes and those sitting in differing positions.
In the Safety Assist assessment area, the Subaru Crosstrek attained the maximum points in the Lane Support category according to the latest applicable test. The lane support system (Lane Keep Assist) gently corrects the vehicle’s path when drifting out of a lane and will then intervene in more critical situations (i.e. Emergency Lane Keeping). The Subaru Crosstrek is equipped with a seatbelt reminder system fitted as standard to the front and rear seats which gained the maximum score in the category and a driver status monitoring system.
The Crosstrek is a tough, practical, and confidence-inspiring vehicle, designed and built to handle life in the countryside and off the beaten track. Offering reliable capability when the going gets tough, the Crosstrek offers 220mm of ground clearance and permanent Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive along with the brand’s renowned X-MODE off-road system fitted as standard, ensuring maximum grip and traction, and exceptional road holding, whatever the weather or terrain conditions.
CARLIST THOUGHTS
Subaru has been making some of the safest cars on the planet for over 5 years now, and the new Crosstrek is no different—having achieved the maximum 5-star rating from Europe NCAP. Of course, anyone familiar with the brand knows that apart from a robust chassis and crash protection, the car also comes with the latest version of EyeSight which is Subaru’s highly rated driver assistance system.
