Protection against whiplash has long been ignored – but tough new tests are forcing car makers to rethink safety strategies...
Whiplash is far more common and serious than you’d think. Its symptoms can be painful, debilitating and last for several years. It also accounts for more than half of Europe’s personal injury claims – costing billions of pounds annually. So, which new cars offer the best protection? You can now find out. Euro NCAP’s independent crash tests incorporate a rear impact assessment which measures exactly that – and Auto Express has been given exclusive access to the results!
The test examines the size and shape of the car’s seat, and its performance in a series of three sled trials ranging from low to high-intensity impact. Each model is marked out of four points and classified with an associated colour.
A ‘good’ green result reflects a seat that offers state-of-the-art performance and reduces long- term injuries by up to 40 per cent. A ‘marginal’ or yellow result means the chair may help, but needs further improvement. A ‘poor’ or red result indicates the seat will not be helpful in preventing a potential injury.
The first vehicles to get the treatment were 25 cars already recently crash tested. And as our table reveals, there was a shocking variation in the results. Only five achieved a green rating, proving there’s plenty of room for improvement.
But the most appalling figures are at the foot of the table, where three models achieved zero points. And you’ll be stunned to hear three out of the bottom five cars – the Peugeot 308 CC, Ford Kuga and Citroen C5 – managed a five-star rating in NCAP’s usual Adult Occupant Protection test.
A spokeswoman for the body said: “If the whiplash protection test was immediately integrated as part of a car’s NCAP star rating, these three models would move down a grade. It’s a wake-up call for manufacturers.”
Only two makers in the list – BMW and Mercedes – employ active head restraints designed specifically to reduce whiplash in a rear-end collision. Yet they could manage only seventh and 16th on the list respectively, suggesting their technologies are not as effective as their marketing claims.
It came as no surprise that Volvo topped the table. It’s a company which stakes its reputation on being at the cutting edge of crash protection, as Hans Nyth, director of the Volvo Cars Safety Centre, confirmed: “Safety is a high priority and we are pleased that the new XC60 has performed in line with our expectations from our own tests and standards.”
In fact, Volvo has installed dedicated whiplash protection on seats on its production cars since the WHIPS system was introduced on the S80 in 1999. This simple but effective set-up is explained on the opposite page.
So, just what makes the difference between a dangerous and a well designed seat? The head restraint and its correct adjustment are the most important aspect of a good anti-whiplash design. The rest must be as close to the back of the head as possible and the top of the cushion should be at least as high as the top of the skull.
Also, the seat itself should control the relative movements between the occupant’s torso and head, and be capable of dissipating the energy of impact while keeping the occupant securely in place.
From February next year, if manufacturers still want to achieve the maximum five-star NCAP rating, they can no longer ignore the whiplash performance of their models.
A new scoring system will be introduced, where the marks from the rear-impact test will contribute to a car’s final tally in Adult Occupant Protection.
This, together with scores from Euro NCAP’s three other areas of assessment – child occupant protection, pedestrian protection and safety assist – will contribute to the award of an overall star rating for the vehicle. If these initial findings are anything to go by, let’s hope the manufacturers are bracing
Why latesttest matters
It's a complaint that’s often not taken seriously, but whiplash can have a painful and long-lasting effect. Caused by a sudden distortion of the neck, it is not uncommon in frontal and side-impact accidents, but it more often occurs in low-speed, rear-end shunts.
Mild symptoms involve stiffness and tenderness of the upper back and neck muscles, as well as headaches and dizziness. Such cases are classed as short-term and can last up to three months.
More serious, long-term cases can involve permanent impairment, plus neurological and musculoskeletal injuries. Also, whiplash is hard to diagnose and costly to treat. Accounting for more than half of Europe’s personal-injury claims, such soft-tissue neck injuries currently cost billions of pounds every year.
How do your car’s seats rate in Euro NCAP tests?
CAR / SCORE / RESTRAINT
Volvo XC60 / 3.54 / Fixed head restraint
Alfa Romeo MiTo / 3.35 / Non-locking Reactive-type head restraint. No tilt adjustment
Volkswagen Golf MkVI / 3.31 / Standard head restraint. No tilt adjustment
Audi A4 / 3.15 / Standard head restraint. No tilt adjustment
Vauxhall Insignia / 3.06 / Standard-type head restraint. Non-locking tilt adjustment
Renault Koleos / 2.94 / Standard-type head restraint. Non-locking tilt adjustment
BMW X3 / 2.44 / Locking Pro-Active-type head restraint. Locking tilt adjustment
Lancia Delta / 2.43 / Non-locking Reactive-type head restraint. No tilt adjustment
Renault Kangoo 2 / 2.38 / Standard-type head restraint. No tilt adjustment
Honda Accord / 2.26 / Non-locking Reactive-type head restraint. No tilt adjustment
Skoda Superb / 2.22 / Standard head restraint. No tilt adjustment
Ford Fiesta / 2.21 / Standard head restraint. No tilt adjustment
Hyundai i30 / 2.21 / Reactive-type head restraint. Locking tilt adjustment
Renault Mégane / 2.19 / Standard head restraint. No tilt adjustment
SEAT Ibiza / 1.96 / Standard head restraint. No tilt adjustment
Mercedes M-Class / 1.82 / Locking Pro-Active-type head restraint. Non-locking tilt adjustment
Dacia Sandero / 1.58 / Fixed head restraint
Daihatsu Cuore / 1.10 / Standard head restraint. No tilt adjustment
Citroen Berlingo / 1.04 / Standard head restraint. No tilt adjustment
Hyundai i10 / 0.94 / Standard head restraint. No tilt adjustment
Citroen C5 / 0.57 / Standard-type head restraint. Non-locking tilt adjustment
Ford Kuga / 0.44 / Standard head restraint. No tilt adjustment
Daihatsu Terios / 0.00 / Standard head restraint. No tilt adjustment
Peugeot 308 CC / 0.00 / Fixed head restraint
Suzuki Splash / 0.00 / Standard head restraint. No tilt adjustment
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