Upon its initial release two years ago, the European New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) subjected a third-generation Ford Focus to its battery of crash safety tests. The results were impressive, as the compact Focus hatch, tested in left-hand drive 1.6 TDCI ‘Trend’ trim line, earned five out of a maximum five stars.
What’s more, the rating of the Focus has been upgraded from 2011 to 2012, even though the car is unchanged, with test results being carried over from the previous year, while the 2012 rating reflects the performance of the Focus against Euro NCAP’s latest requirements.
| Adult occupant: | 92% |
| Child occupant: | 82% |
| Pedestrian: | 72% |
| Safety assist: | 71% |
| Overall score: | 5 stars (of 5) |
Here are Euro NCAP’s comments on the Focus’ crash test performance:
Adult Occupant
The passenger compartment of the new Focus remained stable in the frontal impact. Dummy readings indicated good protection of all body regions for the front passenger, and for all body regions except the lower legs of the driver, protection of which was adequate. Ford demonstrated that a similar level of protection would be provided to the knees and femurs of occupants of different sizes and to those sat in different seating positions. Protection of the pelvis was adequate in the side barrier test and was good for all other body regions. In the more severe side pole test, chest protection was rated as marginal but was otherwise good or adequate. The seat and head restraint provided good protection against whiplash injuries in a rear impact.
Child Occupant
The Focus scored the maximum points available for the protection of the 3 year child in the frontal and side impact tests, and lost only a fraction of a point for the 18 month infant. A switch is available as an option which disables the passenger airbag, allowing a rearward facing child restraint to be used in that seating position. The test cars were not equipped with the switch and no assessment was done. Labels warning of using a rearward-facing child restraint in that seating position without first disabling the airbag were not available in all European languages.
Pedestrian
The protection provided by the bumper to the legs of a struck pedestrian was predominantly good. The front edge of the bumper offered good protection in all areas tested. In most areas likely to be struck by a child’s head the bonnet offered good protection. While protection of an adult’s head was also good in places most areas tested were rated as poor or marginal.
Safety Assist
Electronic stability control is standard equipment on all Focus variants and passed Euro NCAP’s test. A standard-fit seatbelt reminder covers the driver and front passenger seats.
Here’s the video of the crash tests, where you can tell just how well the Focus holds up in the crash tests:
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