European crash safety body Euro NCAP just released a fresh batch of crash test results for no less than eight new cars going on sale in Europe in 2014. Out of the lot, the brand new Mercedes-Benz GLA crossover is the safest, not by a little, but by a landslide. Not only is it the only one with a 5-star rating, but it also aces most of the tests.
Euro NCAP also gave it two awards, one for the Attention Assist system, the other for Pre-Safe technology. The GLA got an impressive 96% score for adult occupant protection, 88% for child occupant protection and even comes with a high-tech "active bonnet" that pops up for added pedestrian protection. We recommend that you watch it in action in the video below.
The GLA is fitted as standard with Collision Prevention Assist Plus, which performed adequately in independent tests. The system managed to engage the auto brake system and avoid the crash altogether at speeds of up to 45 kilometers per hour and provided audio warnings at higher speeds typical of highway driving.
Even the most severe test Euro NCAP carries out, the side impact pole crash, did not reveal major flaws in the GLA's protection. It thus wouldn't be an overstatement to say that the GLA-Class is the safest crossover on sale at the moment. A second batch of tests from the American Independent Institute for Highway Safety should confirm this in a couple of months.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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