Volkswagen Taos Receives 5 Star Rating In Latin NCAP; Fiat Argos (Cronos) Scores Zero Stars

The results of the latest round of the Latin New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) crash test are out, and the Volkswagen Taos has scored 5 stars. The watchdog also crash-tested Fiat's Argo (Cronos) and it scored a zero-star rating. The Taos, produced in Argentina and Mexico, with 6 airbags and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) as standard, is the first model to achieve 5 stars under Latin NCAP latest protocols. The compact SUV received a 90.23 per cent rating for adult occupant protection and an 89.80 per cent for child occupant protection. The VW Taos scored a decent 60.61 per cent for Pedestrian Protection and Vulnerable Road Users and an 85.04 per cent in the Safety Assist score.

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New results: #Volkswagen #Taos becomes first 5 stars model under #LatinNCAP latest protocols while #Fiat #Argo #Cronos zeroes

????????Read full report here: https://t.co/BJy7NS71OU#SaferCars pic.twitter.com/Je85bXd0sX

— Latin NCAP (@LatinNCAP) December 3, 2021

Stephan Brodziak, Latin NCAP Chairman said, "With these latest results from Latin NCAP, it is clear the relevance of the programme to inform consumers, road users and decision makers about the safety performance of the evaluated models. It is necessary that the countries in the region embrace Latin NCAP to comply with the right to information in agreement with the Consumer Protection Guidelines that require strong policies for the protection of these. If it would not have been tested we would not know about the low safety that the Fiat Argo/Cronos offers not only to its customers but to all the people that coexist on the streets with this type of vehicle. Fiat adds another low-safety car to the list of cars that do not adequately protect road users. We make a call to Fiat to shift towards safer cars. On the other hand, we are pleasantly surprised with the result of the Volkswagen Taos, hopefully this level of safety is offered in all the brand's models and it serves as an example for other manufacturers to raise the safety performance of the cars they sell in the region."

Latin NCAP tested Argentinean and Mexican versions of the SUV and the 5 -star rating is valid for both models.

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The compact SUV was tested in a frontal impact, side impact, pole impact, whiplash and pedestrian protection. Moreover, ESC, 'Moose' and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) tests were performed. It gets standard equipment like 6 airbags, ESC, ISOFIX anchorages, optional AEB systems for low speed, Blind Sport Detection (BSD). The watchdog tested Argentinean and Mexican versions of the SUV and the 5 -star rating is valid for both models.

On the other hand, the Fiat Argo (Cronos) which is produced in Argentina and Brazil, with 2 frontal airbags and no standard ESC received zero stars under Latin NCAP latest protocols. The model achieved a 24.37 per cent rating for adult occupant protection and a 9.91 per cent for child occupant protection. It scored 36.91 per cent in Pedestrian Protection and Vulnerable Road Users score and 6.98 per cent in the Safety Assist score.

Fiat Argos (Cronos) achieved 24.37 per cent for adult occupant protection and 9.91 per cent for child occupant protection

In its report, the Latin NCAP says the model showed average to low protection in the frontal impact and poor protection in the side-impact for adult safety leading to zero points for side impact protection. The watchdog also pointed out that the lack of standard side body and side head protection airbags and the poor whiplash protection limited the car's result for adult protection score. The child occupant protection score was poor mainly because the marking in the vehicle does not meet Latin NCAP requirements.