Citroën has told Euro NCAP that every Xsara 1.4i will be fitted with side airbags from the launch of these results. Accordingly, the car chosen for testing had seat-mounted side airbags. In the side-impact test, however, the seat-mounted airbag did not deploy correctly, resulting in a lower level of protection to the driver's chest than expected from this safety feature. Otherwise, the Xsara performed reasonably well in the frontal-impact test and gave above-average results in the pedestrian safety tests.
The cabin just remained stable but the driver's door lost much of its structural strength. Meanwhile, the driver's airbag fired late and towards the centre of the car. Head contact on the airbag was unstable and head and neck protection was marginal. Chest protection for the front passenger was weak and his belt pre-tensioner did not appear to have operated. Tightening of the driver's belt was also limited. There were structures within the facia which could generate loads on the driver's knees during an impact, increasing injury risks for his upper legs and pelvis, or damage to his knees. A deflector is fitted within the steering column shroud but its effectiveness would be limited.