by Results of Euro NCAP’s driver assistance system testing
Ambiguous results for Tesla
Despite marketing claims about high levels of autonomy, the Tesla Model S scored only 30% in the Assistance Competence category, which evaluates the quality of the system’s interaction with the driver. For comparison, the more affordable Kia EV3 and Renault 5 scored 74% and 73%, respectively.
“Tesla misleads consumers about the capabilities of its Autopilot system through its name and marketing, which could have safety implications”
Experts noted that the Model S’s control system resists the driver’s attempts to take control and shuts off completely when control is overridden. The name “Autopilot” was also criticized for creating the impression of full autonomy.
Testing leaders
The best results were shown by the Porsche Macan with the InnoDrive system (92% for safety, 85% for interaction), as well as the Kia EV3, Toyota bZ4X, and Renault 5. The latter proved that good driver assistance systems can be affordable even in budget cars.
Overall, the results show that not all manufacturers approach the implementation of semi-autonomous systems equally. Some, even positioning themselves as technological leaders, do not always provide sufficient levels of safety and convenience for drivers. This is especially true for communicating system capabilities, where many manufacturers still have room for improvement.
