Renault. A brand that used to build its identity on safety. Let's remember when Laguna II was the first European sedan to receive five stars at Euro NCAP. And then Renault Twingo. At a time when others were still covering the dashboard with hard PVC, Renault was already thinking about how to protect the driver and his passengers. EURO NCAP Renault - in 2025 tells a different story. Why is Renault regressing in such an important area.
Today, in 2025, Renault presents to the world Renault 5 E-Tech Electric. An electric retro gem with plenty of charm, modern technology and pretty decent safety. It scores four stars in the Euro NCAP test. Not bad, but not great by today's standards either. Renault cooked up exactly the same story with the Renault 4. EURO NCAP Renault – so let's answer the question, what are they missing to get 5 stars?!
What went wrong?
The shortcomings are surprisingly banal. It lacks central airbag between the seats. There is no warning for unfastened seat belts in the rear seats. The lane keeping system works, but not brilliantly. And the result? Just enough points to not enough for a five starClose – but not enough.
But why? Renault can make a safe car. They have the technology. They have the experience. They have the data. They have competing models that consistently achieve top safety ratings. So why do they deliberately leave out features that would cost them less than a set of good tires in a model that is supposed to represent the future of affordable electric mobility?
The answer is painfully simple: because you can.
Bigster: big, but with a security hole in the soul
And if we are ready to turn a blind eye to the Renault 5 – because it is an affordable city EV – then Dacia Bigster this is no longer going through.
The Bigster is a large SUV. In terms of dimensions, it already flirts with the middle class, but in terms of price, it still remains in the realm of "cheap enough to dare to buy without financing". The ideal family car for those who need space, reliability and functionality.
But then Euro NCAP comes along and says: three stars. Not four. Three. In 2025.
With the same basic shortcomings as the Duster: driver's chest protection is weak. Central airbag - none. Advanced assistance systems - none either. AEB (automatic emergency braking)? It works, but with limitations. Camera and prayer.
Renault Group has the knowledge and technology, which would give Bigster a better rating. But it doesn't use it. Why? Because Dacia remains true to its philosophy: minimalism and cost-effectivenessAnd if the buyer suffers more damage in an accident because of this, so be it.
EURO NCAP Renault: you have everything, but not the will
Renault should be the leader, the example, the benchmark. In a segment where competitors struggle with millimeters of aerodynamics and algorithms to detect driver fatigue, Renault is still losing points due to passive systems that can be activated with just a few lines of code.
So what to do? Five key steps:
- Installing a central airbag is not a luxury, but a necessity.
- Improve driver assistance systems – especially lane keeping and fatigue detection.
- Update the logic for detecting unfastened seat belts – also for the rear seats.
- Add a child detection system in the vehicle – this is becoming an industry standard.
- Emphasize safety as a value at Dacia too – because three stars are no longer "enough" today.
Today's consumer knows more, demands more
EURO NCAP Renault …. customers are not sheep. Customers today they are no longer naiveThey compare, read tests, watch YouTube reviews, analyze Euro NCAP ratings. And most importantly – they understand that four or five stars is not just a symbol of prestige, but the difference between serious injuries and just neck pain after an accident.
Dacia Bigster is a car that should be safer. People will buy it for family use, for travel, for everyday use. And while you might not expect a self-driving miracle for the price of 23 thousand euros, you expect basic protection.
Renault, Dacia – you have the opportunity to show that safety it is not a luxury, but the foundation. It's no longer just about the car surviving a crash. It's about how to protect those who trust you – driver, passenger, child in the back seat.
Conclusion: safety is a decision
Renault, Dacia: you can no longer say you don't know. You have every opportunity to make cars safer. Even for those who don't buy luxury. And that's exactly the brand's responsibility: to protect everyone, not just those with the best credit ratings. EURO NCAP Renault – not just a statement that you don't want to, but that you can't do it because of a small change that is more important than life.
If Renault 5 just needs a few minor fixes for 5 stars, then let them have them. If Bigster is really aiming for mass sales, let it be more than just a big metal frame with a radio.
Because today, security is no longer what separates you – but what is expected of you.
