The Mercedes-Benz Citan and Volkswagen ID Buzz Cargo have joined the Ford Transit Courier in the highest Platinum safety rating for vans
For the first time, Euro NCAP has released crash avoidance ratings for eight vans. Each are from the small van segment, many of which have an equivalent passenger version.
The Mercedes Citan and VW ID Buzz Cargo received the highest scores, achieving a Platinum rating. The Citan scored a total of 87% acheiving the highest "Good" rating in five out of six categories - falling down on pedestrian safety where it received an "Adequate" rating.
Volkswagen's ID Buzz Cargo scored a total of 83% acheiving a Good rating in four out of six categories, and Adequate ratings for both pedestrian and cyclist safety.
Gold ratings were awarded to the Citroën Berlingo and its siblings the Fiat Doblo, Vauxhall Combo and the Peugeot Partner. Also awarded Gold was the Renault Kangoo Van - makers of the Mercedes-Benz Citan - and the Volkswagen Caddy Cargo.
Unlike Euro NCAP’s car safety rating, the commercial van rating system focuses on crash avoidance technology. This is because when a van is involved in a crash, most casualties are in the opponent vehicle or are a vulnerable road users such as a pedestrian or cyclist.
Euro NCAP introduced new safety ratings for vans in 2022, then updated their requirements when they published a new list of the safest vans in 2023.
Euro NCAP said that it noted that smaller panel vans are better equipped with safety assistance technologies than larger cargo vans. This is largely due to their relationship to passenger cars.
The safety systems Euro NCAP expects to be included in vehicles covers advanced autonomous emergency braking technologies (AEB) for car-to-car, pedestrian and cyclist, lane support systems, speed assistance, as well as attention assist.
From July, van makers will need to ensure N1 category vans have a certain standard of saftey systems fitted.
