Volkswagen up! loses two NCAP stars as VW removes auto-braking function

The Volkwsagen up! city car has scored three stars in the latest round of Euro NCAP crash test results, down from the maximum five stars it was awarded when first assessed in 2011. While Euro NCAP tested the electric e-up!, the new score also applies to the facelifted petrol-powered up! due in the new year, as well as the mechanically identical SEAT Mii and Skoda Citigo.

Much of the blame for the two-star loss lies with the up!’s reduced safety assist score, and changing crash-test criteria. In 2011 the up! scored 86 per cent for safety assist technology, partly thanks to its seatbelt reminder and electronic stability control systems. In 2019 it was awarded just 55 per cent in the safety assist category.

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NCAP’s crash safety experts criticised Volkswagen’s decision to remove autonomous emergency braking (AEB) from the up!’s options list, although lane keep assist - a feature that was not previously available - is now fitted as standard.

Matthew Avery, director of research at Thatcham, said: “the withdrawal of its City AEB system is a major shortcoming, not least because consumers will be considering it as an affordable electric city-car option. The lack of an AEB system to avoid or mitigate collisions in a city-driving environment is therefore a significant omission.” 

Avery added that while the up! “still offers a respectable level of passive safety”, its overall score was “disappointing.”

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Commenting on the up!’s Euro NCAP downgrade, a spokesperson from Volkswagen said: “The up! was reassessed this year and achieved three stars, as we hoped it would. Excellent passenger protection and Lane Assist installed as standard – as well as curtain and side airbags – make it one of the safest vehicles in its class. Due to the fact that the test conditions have become significantly tougher in recent years, three stars can be considered a very good rating.”

Autonomous emergency braking works by scanning the road ahead for obstacles, first warning the driver before braking automatically they take no action to avoid a potential collision. 

This latest retest is not the first time modern safety assessments have been applied to older cars. In 2017, the Fiat Punto was awarded zero stars during its retest, and was removed from sale by its maker shortly afterwards. 

And earlier this month, the Volkwsagen Sharan was awarded four stars during its NCAP tests despite its rear door detaching during impact - an eventuality Volkwsagen said it had never seen demonstrated in real-world accident data.

Life for city cars looks tough under current and future regulations. As well as crash test criteria that are difficult for smaller cars to meet, unintended consequences linked to European Union carbon dioxide targets could see city cars die out altogether. 

This latest round of Euro NCAP tests did see some good news for Volkswagen, with the new Mk8 Golf awarded five stars. The Audi Q8, Ford Puma, MG HS, MG ZS EV, Nissan Juke and Ford Puma were also given five stars.

Click here to read our review of the new all-electric Volkswagen e-up!...