Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has been told to step up to the mark on vehicle safety after the 2018 Fiat Panda was given a zero-star rating in the latest Euro NCAP tests while the Jeep Wrangler scored just one star.

The Fiat Panda has become the second car ever to score a zero-star Euro NCAP rating alongside the Fiat Punto

The Panda – one of two zero-rated cars in Euro NCAP’s history along with the Fiat Punto a year ago – failed to score more than 50% in any of the safety organisation’s four key testing categories; it scored just 16% in the Child Occupant Protection test compared to an average of 79% for this category. It also scored low for Safety Assist due to featuring just a seatbelt reminder and the rear system didn’t meet requirements so wasn’t even rated.

Matthew Avery, director of research, Thatcham Research, said: “Carmakers across all categories have responded positively to the more exacting tests brought in by Euro NCAP this year, especially those that assess crash avoidance technology. As the bare minimum, a standard-fit Autonomous Emergency Braking system should be available with the Fiat Panda. This is especially important since the car offers so little protection in the event of a collision.”

He also urged buyers with tight budgets to consider a safer small car second-hand, like the five-star Seat Ibiza (see his comments here).

The Jeep Wrangler was also slammed after scoring just one star, due to its seatbelt reminder and speed limiter but was criticised for its lack of other driver assistance systems.

Michiel van Ratingen, secretary general of Euro NCAP, said: “It is truly disappointing to see a brand-new car being put on sale in 2018 with no autonomous braking system and no lane assistance. It is high time we saw a product from the Fiat-Chrysler group offering safety to rival its competitors.”

Thatcham’s Matthew Avery added: “These shocking Euro NCAP test results demonstrate an inconsistent commitment to safety, as FIAT has produced four and five-star cars in the past.”

The rest of Euro NCAP’s tests saw five-star ratings awarded to the Audi Q3, BMW X5, Hyundai Santa Fe, Jaguar I Pace, Peugeot 508 and Volvo V60.

However, Euro NCAP pointed out there were some issues with these cars too, such as with the Hyundai Santa Fe, where tests found an issue where the side curtain airbags of cars equipped with a panoramic roof could be torn during deployment. In response, Hyundai has already changed the airbag fixings in production and early cars are subject to an official recall. The BMW X5 also suffered from airbag problems.

Michiel van Ratingen said: “Despite the work done by manufacturers during the development of their vehicles, Euro NCAP still sees a lack of robustness in some basic areas of safety.”

He added: “To be fair, the Audi Q3, Jaguar I-PACE, Peugeot 508 and Volvo V60/S60 have set the standard against which others are judged this time, and other manufacturers could do well to follow their example. The I-PACE, especially, demonstrates that future vehicles will be good for the environment but also provide high levels of safety.”