sweatysock41
Q-School Graduate
But the OP did come on here asking for views on them (presumably those who have had 1st hand experience, not views from websites and car magazines)..Which is what we've given him.
Euro Ncap is not just a car magazine website - it is the European Union Safety Standard that every car is measured against. Not manufacturers data it is independent and it does not just measure head on collisions - those days are long gone. Why do you think the more modern cars have things like Side Impact Protection multiple airbags etc. Due to the tests carried out by NCap and the EU safety requirements - note no more Lada's being sold for example.
The OP asked for experience and opinions I just happen to think the opinion of independent experts with regards to safety are more relevant than my mate said. Although I don't dispute what your mate said he has witnessed - or his reasons for not letting his other half have one, but if he had attended the same incidents with a Ford Fiesta would the outcome for the occupants have been any different - I doubt it. Cars that crumple more absorb the energy from a crash better that those that don't. This has been proven to provide better safety for passengers.