(Tue 26 Feb 08)

This may come as a surprise: of the two small 4x4s recently crash tested by Euro NCAP, the Daihatsu Terios achieved a better result than the rather more expensive BMW X3.

Both cars were awarded four stars out of five for adult occupant protection, scoring 28 points each. They were criticised equally for possible injury to the knees and femurs of whoever is sitting up front, but in other respects the BMW did better than the Daihatsu. However, in both the side impact and the pole test the X3's rear door opened, creating a risk of someone falling out, and that was enough to bring its score down to the level of the Terios.

The BMW did much better in the child occupant protection test, achieving four stars and being criticised only for insufficient safety information. The Daihatsu lost marks due to excessive movement of the head of the dummy representing a three-year old child, and managed only three stars.

But the tables were turned when it came to pedestrian protection. Here the Daihatsu was given three stars out of four, scoring maximum points for the protection offered to pedestrians' legs. The BMW, in contrast, scored none, and was given an overall rating of just one star.

More information at www.euroncap.com.

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