The Last set of Euro NCAP results for 2014, 2 x 5 stars, and 2 x 4 stars.

Euro NCAP is releasing the last set of safety ratings for this year, which includes the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron, the Jeep Renegade, the Kia Soul and Kia Soul EV.

The Jeep Renegade and the hybrid Audi A3 Sportback e-tron both met Euro NCAP's requirements for a maximum five star rating. Both cars offer excellent all-round crash protection and have an autonomous emergency braking system available as an option.

The Kia Soul and its all-electric stablemate the Soul EV both fell short of the maximum rating, scoring four stars apiece. The conventionally-engined Soul offered weak chest protection in the side pole test. Nevertheless, Kia believes that this performance is an improvement on cars from early production and has committed to install the current-production side airbag in earlier vehicles. Euro NCAP encourages all customers who are contacted by Kia to have their cars updated in order to reinforce the protection available in side impacts. The Soul EV is not affected.

To end the year, BMW earns a Euro NCAP Advanced reward for the Pedestrian Warning with City Brake Activation, an advanced technology designed to help avoid or mitigate accidents with pedestrians at low speeds. The system is available on various models including the BMW 2 Series, BMW i3 and MINI Cooper. In addition to the AEB city and AEB interurban systems already rewarded in the rating scheme, Euro NCAP will give credit from 2016 to vehicles equipped with AEB pedestrian systems.

BMW i3 fails to achieve the five star Euro NCAP award !

BMW's electric i3 has scored four out of a possible five stars in a EuroNCAP safety test after faring poorly in the pedestrian protection and safety assistance systems categories.

The four-door i3 hatchback is the first model from BMW's i subbrand and the first mass-market car made largely from carbon fiber. BMW premiered the i3 on three continents in July before starting German sales of the car on Nov. 16.

EuroNCAP said the i3 scored just 57 percent in the pedestrian safety test due to a "poor" front edge to the hood and disappointing results recorded at the base of the windshield and along the "stiff" windshield pillars.

"These are shortcomings, especially because the i3 was designed as a modern car for big cities," the German motoring organization ADAC said. "Pedestrian protection should be of particularly high value."

In the safety assistance systems test, the i3 scored 55 percent, with EuroNCAP noting that the i3 met test requirements by offering electronic stability control as standard equipment, but lacked seat belt reminders in the rear of the car. The organization said a system designed to control the car's speed was not expected to reach EuroNCAP's minimum fitment rate to qualify for assessment.

BMW is placing high hopes on the 34,950 euro model, which has attracted more than 10,000 pre-orders and 100,000 requests for test drives.

The results, while not overwhelmingly negative, could cause some concern and potentially put off future buyers.

A BMW spokesman said the findings disregard steps taken by the manufacturer to enhance protection of pedestrians, citing the i3's special brakes and sensors.

BMW will study the test results before casting a final opinion, the spokesman added.

Analysts estimate BMW has spent at least 2 billion euros on developing the i subbrand, which BMW has trademarked through to a series number i9 -- hinting at the scope of its electric plans. The next model from the i subbrand is the i8 plug-in hybrid supercar, which is due to launch next spring.

Test results

In the remaining two EuroNCAP test categories, the i3 scored 86 percent for adult occupant safety and 81 percent for child occupant safety.

The i3 received praise from the safety organization for its performance in the side barrier test, with the i3 scoring maximum points with good protection of all body regions.

EuroNCAP is backed by seven European governments as well as motoring and consumer organizations in every European country. It organizes crash tests and provides consumers with a realistic and independent assessment of the safety performance of cars sold in Europe.

Latest NCAP results, BMW, Ford, Nissan, Mercedes and VW fail to get 5.

Brussels, 27 November – The latest batch of Euro NCAP results covers the following eleven vehicles in a large panel of categories.

The Small Families Peugeot 308 and Mazda 3 achieved the 5 star overall rating while the Ford Ecosport and BMW i3 reached 4 stars. The small MPV Mercedes CITAN Kombi was reassessed and received 4 stars following the 3 stars it had been given earlier this year. The Ford Tourneo Connect and the hybrid version of the Mitsubishi Outlander (PHEV) both received 5 stars. The Supermini Nissan Note and the Business and Family Van Volkswagen T5 made it to 4 stars. Finally, the Executives Maserati Ghibli and Infiniti Q50 achieved the coveted five star overall rating in Euro NCAP's latest tests series of the year.

Safety is not a Luxury. Watch our new video showing the Maserati Ghibli undergoing Euro NCAP's crash tests.

For more details on the tested vehicles and to watch the crash test videos and pictures, please visit our website. For media information, please contact Marie Brasseur, Euro NCAP Communications Manager.