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The latest Australasia New Car Assessment Programme (ANCAP) vehicle safety ratings are now available.
According to the New Zealand Automobile Association (AA), Volvo’s and Mazda’s new SUVs have hit the Kiwi market with 5-star safety ratings despite increased testing standards.
The report suggests Volvo’s first small SUV, the Volvo XC40, and the seven-seater Mazda CX-8 provide high standards of safety for drivers, passengers and pedestrians. They all performed well across various crash scenarios and tests.
The Volvo XC40 achieved 84% overall for child occupant protection, with perfect scores for the dynamic tests with ANCAP’s new six-year-old and 10-year-old child dummies. The Mazda CX-8 achieved 87% for child occupant protection and 96% for adult occupant protection.
Both models have autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane keep assist (LKA) and a seatbelt reminder system. The Volvo XC40 also has emergency lane keeping (ELK), which intervenes more aggressively than its LKA in emergency situations to keep the SUV on the road, or from hitting another vehicle.
AA noted that, for the first time, the safety testing included testing the performance and effectiveness of safety assist technologies, and the ability for the vehicles to protect a broader range of occupants, including children.
AA Motoring Services General Manager Stella Stocks said: “It’s great to see Volvo and Mazda setting the new standard for vehicle safety.
“SUVs are a popular choice for families so it’s fantastic that, in both cases, the vehicles were able to achieve high ratings when more thoroughly tested for child occupant safety,” she added.
