More five-star cars crash onto scene

AUSTRALIA’S crash safety watchdog has named three more passenger cars as a top safety pick as the number of vehicles to gain the five-star crash rating reaches a peak.

The awards to Kia’s seven-seat Rondo, the Mazda6 mid-size sedan and wagon range, and the city-friendly Clio hatchback now means three out of every four new cars assessed by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program this year have won five-star ratings.

Of the 37 vehicles tested to date in 2013, only six have failed to get the maximum five-star rating.

Heading up this year’s top-performing trio is the Kia Rondo seven-seat family-wagon, which scored well thanks to seat-belt reminders in all seats including the third row.

Kia’s people-mover was also praised for providing above-average whiplash protection for occupants in the event of a rear impact – an important consideration in a family-oriented vehicle.

The popular Mazda6 also took home the top award, scoring well in frontal offset crash-tests, providing good front airbag contact and limited pedal and steering wheel movement.

All variants of Mazda’s mid-sized sedan and wagon provided good side-impact protection for occupants, and picked up extra points for its head-protecting curtain airbags and seatbelt warnings for all passengers.

The third five-star award went to Renault’s three-cylinder Clio, which afforded good head and chest protection for the driver during side and pole impact tests.

The four-cylinder Clio variant is currently unrated.

Despite performing well enough to score five stars, ANCAP chairman Lauchlan McIntosh said that the Clio could have done better.

“While the Clio provided good head and chest protection for the driver in the side impact and pole tests, it is disappointing that head-protecting side airbags for rear occupants are not available,” Mr McIntosh said.

Cars to have failed to make the five-star grade so far this year have included the Chinese-built Foton Tunland trade ute, which scored three-stars.

Despite the handful of underachievers, New South Wales Centre for Road Safety general manager Marg Prendergast said she was impressed with the 2013 results, but warned that car-makers would not be able to rest on their laurels.

“Next year, there will be stricter conditions for obtaining a five-star rating, but we are confident that the vehicle industry will be able to source technologies to ensure their vehicles are produced to the top safety standard,” Ms Prendergast said.

“Simply put, it’s a buyers’ market now with more than 74 per cent of new vehicles sold in Australia so far this year rated five stars.

“New-car buyers don’t have to compromise safety for price anymore. It’s a new era in vehicle sales,” she said.