ANCAP: Seven models achieve five-star rating

THE latest round of testing conducted by car safety authority Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has yielded five-star results for all seven tested vehicles, including the locally developed Ford Ranger and Everest.

The Blue Oval stablemates join the Toyota Fortuner SUV, Volkswagen Passat mid-sizer, Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series off-roader, Lexus IS sedan and the Volvo XC90 SUV.

While the Fortuner, Everest, Passat and XC90 were all new and untested models in their current generations, the Ranger, LandCruiser and IS were updated versions of previously tested models, all of which had previously held five-star ratings.

The XC90 lived up to Volvo's reputation for safety with a 97 per cent rating for adult occupant protection, to go with 87 per cent child occupant protection, 72 per cent pedestrian protection and 73 per cent for driver-assisting safety features.

It was tested and assessed by Euro NCAP standards, and achieved a perfect score for the full width frontal test and side impact test.

The Ford Everest, released in October, achieved a combined score of 35.98 out of 37, excelling in driver protection but only recording an 'acceptable' grade for pedestrian protection.

The updated Ford Ranger achieved an impressive score of 36.72 out of 37, however it only applies to dual-cab variants, with single-cab versions being reduced by one point to 35.72.

Released earlier this month, the Toyota Fortuner SUV achieved a score of 34.05 out of 37.

The Fortuner is based on the all-new HiLux, and ANCAP deemed that the HiLux safety test would also be applicable for the Fortuner after being provided with evidence from the car-maker.

It aced the side impact and pole tests, and performed solidly across all other tests.

The new Volkswagen Passat – also released earlier this month – also achieved a perfect side impact test and pole test score on its way to 35.89 out of 37 overall rating.

Lexus' mid-sized IS sedan managed an even 35 out of 37, with its only point deductions coming from the frontal offset test where it scored a 14 out of 16.

Toyota's LandCruiser 200 Series, achieved the lowest score of the seven tested, with a 33.09 out of 37, but it was more than enough for a five-star rating.

The LandCruiser lost points on the whiplash and pedestrian protection tests, gaining only a 'marginal' rating on both.

However, its five-star rating shows how far the LandCruiser and other large off-roaders have come in terms of overall safety, a point reiterated by ANCAP CEO James Goodwin.

“Five star ratings for both the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Everest demonstrates the increasing safety focus in the off-road SUV marketplace,” he said.

It also shows a general trend towards all cars becoming safer according to ANCAP's standards, Mr Goodwin said.

“It is encouraging to see more five-star ANCAP safety rated vehicles being released into the Australian and New Zealand markets giving consumers greater choice when buying a new vehicle,” said Mr Goodwin.

“The proportion of models achieving a five-star ANCAP safety rating has gradually increased from zero in 2002 to 77 per cent of rated models on sale today.”