Toyota Aygo, Citroen C1 and Peugeot 107 Receive Three-Star Euro NCAP Rating

All three cars have been recently facelifted from the previous models tested, and since thanks to their updated form, they’ve had to be re-tested under the new test requirements. Honestly, we wouldn’t expect these little boxes to ace the ESp tests, but what worries us is that the cars got a 68% crash protection score for adult occupant protection.

All three cars date back to 2005, and it seems that despite the cosmetic refresh, their safety cells were not updated. The safety body says they desperately lack side impact airbags and electronic stability control as standard equipment.

“Our test protocols have evolved significantly over the past few years. There are more tests and the requirements have become more stringent. Despite this, many manufacturers have engineered their latest cars to achieve the highest score. On the other hand, we see that some manufacturers continue to offer popular best sellers without making the necessary incremental updates to safety. It is those models that obviously fall behind other, more modern cars competing in the same category,” said Dr Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP Secretary General.

As a result of the bad result, Toyota and its French partners have pledge that by July 2013, all of the three cars will have the following added to the standard equipment list:

• side thorax airbag
• side head curtain airbag
• electronic stability control
• passenger seatbelt reminder
• ISOFIX and top-tether in rear outboard seats

While we were sifting throug the test results, we noticed whiplash protection is bad, and the fact that the driver suffered foot damage indicates there’s something wrong with the crash structure. Until they fix the cars, you should definitely look at the Skoda Citigo as an option. The cheaper of the new VW Group city cars has a five-star rating and 89% adult occupant protection, which is not percent, but it’s more than impressive for this class.