Fifth Gear: 4x4 Crash Test

A big, heavy-duty 4x4 is surely the best thing for keeping your little ones safe on the school run - isn't it? We crash one against an MPV to find out.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• auto
• land
• rover
• discovery
• renault
• espace
• crash
• five

[torquemonsterr]

the airbag in the renault caught fire, it'll burn your face..

[enbanet]

@torquemonsterr airbags are triggered with fire. it's compeletely normal. you'd know that if you had an accident ina a car equiped with airbags.

and, a little burn is a good price to pay rather than being killed

[fullpanicman]

the problem is, they are testing an old 4x4 against a new MPV.  if both cars were from a similar period, the results should be a bit different

[Airox180]

Not really. The Espace is one of the safest cars on earth. The Discovery is a very poorly built SUV on the other hand.

[Xaiano]

@fullpanicman the land rover model was from 1998 and the espace from 2003 - not too much in it, both cars are in the same price bracket so I think this is a practical test since you aren't going to choose a £5000 car when you only have £2500.

[legioner9]

@fullpanicman : The fact is that they DIDNT WANT TO TEST a new Disco VS a new Espace, how often will I say this ??!! THEY TESTED A BIG HEAVY FULL OF METAL NORMAL AGED SUV ( I mean 10-12 years ) vs a more modern family car , in this case the Espace, WHAT DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND ?...

[tractorboydavidbrown]

typical they had to crash a disco gs top spec........hang on the air bag didn't go off

[shoveitupyaman]

@fullpanicman thers just as much if not more chance of a old car and newer one having a crash. rather than 2 old cars.

[PS3DUDE290]

@torquemonsterr it didn't catch fire, all cars have a small amount of explosive compound to deploy the airbag, it was mealy just a minor explosion which all cars have.

[AlexF931]

Still.... I like the Disco!!

[micoaraujo]

@98MAzdaMilleniaS What airbags? lol The discovery don't have any airbags!

[joelybear497]

Discovery of that age costs about £1500

Espace cost around £4000.

disco 1- based on Range Rover classic Which was designed in the 60s

Espace- was developed during the start of the new millenium, over 30 years later

Its no real suprise that the espace came off so much better.

[98MAzdaMilleniaS]

Why did the Discoverys airbag not deploy ?? Also the Espace may be safer than some other cars but it is not the safest car made right now, its design is part of the problem. Its crumple zone is miniscule and it carries alot of weight behind it, also the split A-pillar compromises the structural integrity of the safety cage, another car with this is the Honda Fit(which does poorly against any cars even slightly bigger than it).

[DizzyMan24]

...A FACE FULL OF AGGRESIVE CUP HOLDER...LOL