When Renault unveiled the Kadjar in Geneva earlier this year, the automotive world received it with mixed feelings. While some admired the arrival of a true alternative to the Nissan Qashqai, others dissed it for its name or its unshapely body shell. One thing is certain, though – the 2015 Renault Kadjar aced the Euro NCAP crash test procedures, earning max points.
While the overall score of 5 golden stars is impressive as is, there is more to be said about the level of protection this compact crossover offers in a crash situation. But first, we must mention that the agency used a 1.5 dCi Zen model, which tips the scales at 1,420 kilograms (3,130 pounds). Other than a plethora of standard safety equipment, the Kadjar was also outfitted with Speed Assistance and Lane Assist.
The peeps from Euro NCAP highlight that the passenger compartment remained stable in the frontal offset test, which involves a deformable barrier and a speed of 64 km/h (40 mph). Though the driver dummy scored maximum points for protection, the passenger dummy lost a fraction of a point because the car offered 'adequate' (not the maximum 'good') chest protection. Anything else worth talking about?
In the full-width frontal impact, the driver dummy once again scored max points while the rear passenger dummy was provided with 'marginal' chest protection. Still, all other critical body areas were well protected by Euro NCAP standards. The Renault Kadjar aced the side impact barrier test, as well as the pole test.
The last minus worth mentioning comes in the guise of 'marginal' protection against whiplash injury in the event of a rear-end collision. On the plus side, the autonomous emergency braking system works like magic. On an ending note, the overall adult occupant score is 89 percent, while child occupant protection is a decent 81 percent. If you want to find out how the 2015 Renault Kadjar is like to drive, then why not head over to our extensive review of the cutesy French crossover? Spoiler alert: it's more comfy than the Qashqai.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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