Tesla Model 3, Audi A6 get five ANCAP stars

THE Tesla Model 3 electric mid-size sedan and Audi A6 executive large sedan both received maximum five-star ANCAP safety ratings this week, but it was the Californian car that received most praise from Australasia’s crash-test watchdog.

In addition to setting a new record score of 94 per cent for safety assist technologies, the Model 3 performed particularly well for adult occupant protection with a 96 per cent result, bettered only by the Mazda3 small car (with 98 per cent) and matching the Toyota HiLux ute and Lexus UX small luxury SUV.

In three out of the four crash tests, the Model 3 received full points for preserving the driver, while full points for front passenger protection were obtained in the frontal offset test.

In the full-width frontal test, the Tesla lost points lost points for rear passenger chest protection, which was deemed ‘adequate’ and driver’s chest protection was deemed ‘marginal’ in the pole test.

Tesla’s overall score of 89 per cent for child occupant protection was inferior to the Mercedes-Benz GLE large luxury SUV (92 per cent), Mercedes A-Class small luxury car (91 per cent) and Mazda6 mid-size car (91 per cent).

Maximum points were awarded for child occupant protection in the side impact test, but neck protection for a 10-year-old in the frontal offset test was ‘marginal’ and child restraint installation got 11.6 out of 12.

The Model 3’s advanced lane support system with emergency lane-keeping that steers to avoid oncoming or nearby vehicles got a special mention from ANCAP and helped it achieve a new high-water mark in the safety assist category, toppling the Ford Endura large SUV’s 89 per cent.

ANCAP CEO James Goodwin described the Model 3’s crash-test performance as “an impressive result and great to see electric vehicles continuing to prioritise safety”.

“It is encouraging to see Tesla give equal attention to the active safety systems and technologies on board as well as the safety fundamentals through the structure and restraints,” he said.

The Audi A6 scored 93 per cent for adult occupant protection, 85 per cent for child occupant protection and 78 per cent for safety assist technologies.

Its vulnerable road user protection score of 81 per cent was superior to the Tesla’s 74 per cent result but not quite up to the 92 per cent achieved by the standard-bearing Mercedes A-Class.

Only the side impact test resulted in a perfect score for adult and child occupant protection in the Audi, with ‘adequate’ protection for the driver’s chest and driver and passenger lower leg in the frontal offset test, ‘adequate’ chest protection for driver and rear passenger in the full-width frontal test and ‘marginal’ chest protection in the pole test.

Like the Tesla, the A6 provided ‘marginal’ neck protection for a 10-year-old in the frontal offset test, while its child seat installation score was slightly lower at 11.22 out of 12.

“The Audi A6 offers a good mix of safety systems for adults, children and other road users,” said Mr Goodwin.

All Model 3 and A6 variants sold in Australia and New Zealand receive the five-star ANCAP rating.