Subaru Legacy

* Eight cars tested * Seven get top score * Hybrids do well in pedestrian tests...

Subaru Legacy

Overall rating: Five stars
Adult occupation score: 79%
Child protection score: 73%
Pedestrian protection: 58%
Safety assist: 71%

Euro NCAP says:

Adult occupant
The passenger compartment remained stable in the frontal impact. Structures in the dashboard presented a risk of injury to the knees and femurs of the driver and front passenger, and protection of that body region was rated as marginal.

Good protection was provided in the side barrier test and the car scored maximum points. In the more severe side pole impact, readings from the dummy's chest indicated a weak level of protection.

Marginal protection was provided against whiplash injuries in the event of a rear impact.

Child occupant
Forward movement of the head of the dummy representing a three-year-old was not excessive in the frontal impact. In the side impact, the heads of both dummies were properly contained by their respective restraints.

The passenger airbag can be disabled by Subaru dealers to allow a rearward-facing child restraint to be used in that seating position. The dangers of doing so without first disabling the airbag are explained in a sun visor label which is permanently attached, but this label is not available in all European languages.

Pedestrian
The bumper offered good protection to pedestrians' legs in most areas. The bonnet also performed well in most areas likely to be struck by the head of an adult or a child.

However, the front edge of the bonnet scored no points for the protection it offered to pedestrians.

Safety assist
Electronic stability control is standard equipment on the Legacy, as is a seatbelt reminder for the driver and front passenger seats.

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