ANCAP crash test results

VW Polo | 1996

Overall evaluation: Good

Protection from serious head, chest and upper leg injury was good for the driver in the offset crash test.

The passenger compartment held its shape well in the offset crash test except there was too much floor deformation. Protection from serious leg injury for the driver was marginal.

No full frontal crash test was conducted therefore this overall rating should not be compared with the ratings for other vehicles. Full frontal crash tests tend to be more demanding on seat belts than the offset crash test.

Safety features

In Australia dual air bags are standard equipment. The vehicle tested in Europe did not have a passenger air bag.

Restraints: Good

Offset Crash Test

The driver's head was cushioned by the air bag and protection from serious head injury was good.

Protection from serious head injury was also good for the passenger - protection should be even better with the passenger air bag which is standard equipment in Australia.

Structure: Acceptable

Offset Crash Test

The passenger compartment held its shape reasonably well in the offset crash test. The roof and pillars maintained their shape but there was excessive rearward movement of the front part of the driver's floor. The width of the driver's doorway shortened by 2cm.

All doors remained closed during the crash. After the crash moderate effort was required to open the driver's door. The passenger door could be easily opened.