Renault Trafic Euro NCAP crash test

3 stars. At least average occupant protection but not always equipped with the latest crash avoidance features

The passenger compartment remained stable in the frontal impact.  An airbag for the front seat passenger is standard on passenger-carrying versions of the Trafic but, as it is an only an option on the cargo versions, it was not included in the test.  Dummy readings indicated marginal protection of the passenger's chest and the steering column and parts of the facia presented a risk of injury to the knees and femurs of both front seat occupants.  Maximum points were scored in the side barrier test with good protection of all body regions.  A head/thorax airbag is available as an option but, as it is not standard equipment, the Trafic did not qualify for a side pole impact.  A geometric assessment of the seats indicated marginal protection against whiplash injury in the front seats and poor protection in the rear seats.

The Trafic scored maximum points in the dynamic tests for its protection of the 3 year and 18 month dummies.  In the frontal impact, forward movement of the 3 year dummy, sat in a forward-facing restraint, was not excessive.  In the side impact, both dummies were properly contained by the protective shells of their restraints, minimising the likelihood of head contact with parts of the vehicle interior.  The test vehicle was not equipped with the optional passenger airbag but, where it is fitted, this can be disabled by means of a switch to allow a rearward-facing child restraint to be used in front passenger seat.  Clear information is provided to the driver regarding the status of the airbag and the system was rewarded.

The bumper provided good protection to pedestrians' legs in some areas but was marginal in others.  Tests against the front edge of the bonnet are not performed for vehicles in this size category.  The bonnet surface provided predominantly adequate protection to the head of a struck pedestrian with weak or poor results recorded primarily at the stiff bonnet edges and windscreen pillars.

Electronic stability control is standard equipment.  A seatbelt reminder is available only for the driver's seat.  A speed limitation device is standard on passenger vans but, as it is only an option on the cargo-carrying variants, it was not included in the assessment.