Maximum five NCAP stars for new Vauxhall Astra
Author: Phil Rannard
Published: 26 November 2009
The new Vauxhall Astra has received a maximum five star rating for safety, including the highest-ever NCAP rating for head restraints.
Head restraints protect against whiplash – the most common occupant injury suffered when a car is struck from behind. The head restraint system is also reversible, requiring no dealer reset after a rear-end collision.
The Astra scored maximum points for its protection of the front passenger occupant in the frontal impact.
The Astra also won a strong score for child occupant protection and safety assist, including but points were also added for its advanced Electronic Stability Control+ system, which improves vehicle stability by detecting and minimising skids.
Among the safety features in the Astra are new, advanced dual seat belt pre-tensioners which help prevent injury by keeping occupants’ hips in place during a crash, eliminating the need for knee airbags.
NCAp said that the knees and femurs of both the driver and passenger were well protected. Opel were able to show that occupants of different sizes, and those sat in different seating positions, would be similarly well protected.
However, the Astra received a generally poor score for pedestrian protection, with different areas of the bonnet judged poor.
Other safety equipment comprises six airbags, a smart seat belt reminder system and a passenger airbag deactivation switch to allow child seats to be placed on the front passenger seat.
ABS with numerous assistance functions, traction control, adaptive brake lights and Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL) are also included in the Astra’s safety armoury.
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