For the second year in a row, a Renault model has been named European Car of the Year.
However, the safety of the Renault 5 has sparked debate, as it failed to achieve the maximum five-star rating in Euro NCAP's crash safety tests.
Safety vs. Affordability
The Renault 5's less-than-perfect safety rating has reignited concerns about car safety standards. Critics argue that prioritizing cost over safety is a risky precedent.
“It’s no longer the case that everyone expects five stars. If this had been our starting point, we might not have had any cars in the final,” said Norwegian jury member Fred Magne Skillebæk to Motor.no.
Skillebæk pointed out that the Renault 5 was the only finalist tested by Euro NCAP and praised its driving performance and nostalgic design as key factors in its win.
“I had two favorites: the Renault 5 and the Kia EV3. Ultimately, it was the x-factor that made the decision. The Renault drives fantastically well, and for us older drivers, it brings back memories of the Golf GTI and Peugeot 205 GTI,” he added.
But the Renault 5's failure to meet top safety standards has drawn criticism.
“Today, most new cars get five stars. Losing a star is not a good look,” noted a source.
Skillebæk suggested that Euro NCAP’s increasingly strict safety requirements are making it harder for manufacturers to produce affordable cars.
“To get five stars today, manufacturers have to include so much expensive equipment that it becomes difficult to sell the cars. This is a challenge for the entire industry. Euro NCAP and car manufacturers are moving in different directions,” he explained.
