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Opel Karl

Karl frontal view
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Play
2017
Standard
Standard

Verdict

The Karl was originally assessed by Euro NCAP in 2015.  For this re-assessment, most tests have been re-done as the test protocols have changed in the intervening two years.  However, where the car and test protocols are unchanged, results have been carried over from the 2015 assessment.

The passenger compartment of the Karl remained stable in the frontal offset test.  Dummy readings indicated good protection of the knees and femurs of the driver and passenger.  Opel showed that a similar level of protection would be provided to occupants of different sizes and to those sat in different positions.  In the full-width rigid barrier test, the pelvis of the rear passenger dummy slipped beneath the lap portion of the seatbelt, and protection of this body area was rated as poor.  Protection of the chest was rated as marginal, based on dummy readings of chest compression.  Protection of all critical body areas was good for the driver dummy.  In the side barrier test, protection of all critical parts of the body was good and the Karl scored maximum points.  However, in the more severe side pole impact, the head 'bottomed out' the curtain airbag and the resulting high decelerations indicated poor protection of this body area.  Chest protection was rated as marginal based on dummy readings of rib compression.  Tests on the front seats and head restraints demonstrated marginal protection against whiplash injury in the event of a rear-end collision.  A geometric assessment of the rear seats also indicated marginal whiplash protection.

In the frontal offset test, protection of the neck and chest of the 6 year dummy was weak, and that of the neck of the 10 year dummy was poor.  In the side barrier test, protection of all critical body areas was good.  The front passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a rearward-facing child restraint to be used in that seating position.  Clear information is provided to the driver regarding the status of the airbag and the system was rewarded.  The Karl is not compatible with i-Size restraints and, as a result, the installation check of any such restraints was deemed a fail. In addition, the large rearward-facing Group 0+/1 restraint could not be accommodated in the rear centre position.

The protection offered to the head of a struck pedestrian was mixed with areas showing good results and others, mainly on the stiff windscreen pillars, giving poor results.  The bumper provided good protection to pedestrians' legs but protection of the pelvis was predominantly poor.

The Karl has a seatbelt reminder for the front and rear seats.  A lane departure warning system and a driver-set speed limiter are available as an option but are not included in this rating.

Tested ModelOpel Karl 1.0 'Enjoy', LHD
Body TypeHatchback
Kerb Weight920 kg
Adult Occupant

Adult Occupant

61%
Child Occupant

Child Occupant

60%
Vulnerable Road Users

Vulnerable Road Users

58%
Safety Assist

Safety Assist

25%

Safety Equipment

Driver
Passenger
Rear
Front Airbag
FITTED_STANDARD
FITTED_STANDARD
NOT_APPLICABLE
Belt Pretensioner
FITTED_STANDARD
FITTED_STANDARD
FITTED_STANDARD
Belt Loadlimiter
FITTED_STANDARD
FITTED_STANDARD
FITTED_STANDARD
Knee Airbag
NOT_AVAILABLE
NOT_AVAILABLE
NOT_APPLICABLE

Note: other equipment may be available on the vehicle but was not considered in the test year

  • Fitted to the vehicle as standard
    Fitted to the vehicle as standard
  • Fitted to the vehicle as part of the safety pack
    Fitted to the vehicle as part of the safety pack
  • Not fitted to the test vehicle but available as option or as part of the safety pack
    Not fitted to the test vehicle but available as option or as part of the safety pack
  • Not available
    Not available
  • Not applicable
    Not applicable

Rating Validity

Body Type
Variant Description
Drivetrain
Rating Applies LHD
Rating Applies RHD
5 door Hatchback
1.0 petrol + LPG (Bi-fuel) - Opel/Vauxhall Karl
4x2
true
-
5 door Hatchback
1.0 petrol + LPG (Bi-fuel) - Opel/Vauxhall Karl
4x2
true
-
5 door Hatchback
1.0 petrol - Opel/Vauxhall Karl
4x2
true
true
5 door Hatchback
1.0 petrol - Opel/Vauxhall Karl*
4x2
true
true
  • * Tested Variant

Additional Information