The most UNSAFE cars you can buy today – and it’s not just Fiats that performed poorly in crash tests
Jeep's Wrangler and the new Suzuki Jimny are some of the most dangerous cars on the market
FIAT cars are officially the most unsafe on the market today, with crash tester Euro NCAP handing its latest Panda model zero stars.
The Italian brand’s Punto was also given the unwanted title of the first car to be given no stars last year.
Its popular 500 city car – cute as it may be – was also awarded just three stars in 2017, alongside the Doblo and 15 other models last year.
But Fiat is not the only brand to be guilty of a poor safety rating, as the new Jeep Wrangler was handed just one star.
The large off-roader provided little safety assist features, scoring just 32 per cent in that category.
Other main sectors tested by Euro NCAP include safety for an adult, a child and for vulnerable road users.
Top 5 most unsafe new cars
- Fiat Panda (2018) – 0 stars
- Fiat Punto (2017) – 0 stars
- Jeep Wrangler (2018 – 1 star
- Ford Mustang (2017) – 2 stars*
- Suzuki Jimny (2018) – 3 stars
*The Mustang Roadster Sport was reassessed in 2017 and achieved 3 stars
Muscle car, the Ford Mustang, was given just two stars last year with an especially low 16 per cent score for its safety assist features.
However, it was later reassessed by Euro NCAP and improved the latter sector by a whopping 45 per cent and also a 14-per-cent increase on its vulnerable person safety rating.
Only one car has scored three stars so far this year – and that is the Suzuki Jimny.
It is the third most unsafe car of 2018, with the Japanese manufacturer also managing just three stars for its Swift model last year.
A Fiat spokesperson said in response to the recent zero-rating for the Panda: “We take the safety of our customers and other road users extremely seriously.
“The Fiat Panda complies with all safety legislation in every country in which it is sold.”
Meanwhile, Matthew Avery – Director of Research at Thatcham Research – said: “Most troubling is that the Fiat Panda is seen as a good choice for young drivers and fledgling families.
“But the only safety technology fitted were seat belt reminders and the rear system failed to meet requirements, so wasn’t even rated.
“These shocking Euro NCAP test results demonstrate an inconsistent commitment to safety, as Fiat has produced four and five-star cars in the past.”
