The Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has confirmed its latest batch of five-star rating recipients.
A total of four SUVs – the Land Rover Range Rover, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, Nissan X-Trail, and Toyota Corolla Cross – have been given the top rating by ANCAP.
“As we approach the end of this 2020-2022 protocol period and look ahead to a broadened test regime from 2023, it is pleasing to see a continued high level of safety performance offered from a range of brands,” says ANCAP chief executive officer Carla Hoorweg.
In its field notes for each respective nameplate, ANCAP noted that the Corolla Cross now owns the title of strongest rated vehicle on the market for Vulnerable Road User Protection, having scored an 87.
The group commended the Corolla Cross’ strong overall performance, although it also noted that the model received a ‘marginal’ rating for driver chest protection during the frontal offset test.
It also pinged the Japanese brand for not providing “additional information required to demonstrate that performance would provide similar levels of protection (robustness) for occupants of difference sizes”.
Meanwhile, ANCAP rated the autonomous emergency braking systems in both Land Rover products highly. In spite of this, both British luxury SUVs were penalised for not including any rearward passenger avoidance tech. ANCAP also noted that neither model came with a centre airbag.
Safety Assist was listed as the X-Trail’s strongest area, earning it a 97, with Child Occupant Protection also scoring high at 90.
The X-Trail wasn’t the only Nissan to get a crash rating this week. The brand’s fully electric Ariya also received a five-star rating by Euro NCAP. Since the model is yet to be confirmed for Australian launch, that rating doesn’t yet carry over to count as an ANCAP rating yet.
“The outstanding performances of both the new X-Trail and the Ariya, which are very different vehicles, built on different platforms, demonstrates the cross-car strategy Nissan has for its models,” says David Moss, Senior Vice President, Regional Research & Development, AMIEO.
“This comprehensive testing and rating programme from Euro NCAP really allows consumers to understand our dedication to safety and how seriously we take our customers’ welfare.”
