Five highly anticipated models assessed

ANCAP has released safety results for five new models: the Toyota Hilux, Denza B5, GAC AION V, Mitsubishi ASX and the Hyundai Palisade. This latest round of assessment spans dual-cab utes, compact and medium SUVs, and next-generation electric vehicles.

The Toyota Hilux, one of Australia’s top-selling utes, achieved a five-star ANCAP safety rating. The Hilux brings a broadened suite of safety features including a centre airbag and enhanced automatic emergency breaking (AEB) functionality. The Hilux provided consistently Good performance in testing across all four assessment pillars.

A new entrant to Australia and New Zealand from BYD’s luxury focused sub-brand, the Denza B5, also achieved a five-star safety rating. The plug-in hybrid SUV achieved maximum points in side-impact testing and demonstrated good performance across most crash tests. Robust AEB capability was also seen for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists across most tested scenarios.

Another new brand and model to the market, the electric GAC AION V, secured a debut five-star result. The vehicle performed strongly in side-impact and far-side performance, positioning the AION V among some of Australia’s top safety performers.

The Hyundai Palisade has earned a five-star ANCAP safety rating for both seven and eight seat variants. The hybrid SUV scored full points for Child Occupant Protection in frontal and side impact crash tests, and full points for adult protection in side impact and oblique pole tests. A penalty was applied for a loss of footwell integrity in the frontal offset test. Collision avoidance performance was solid overall, with Good results across AEB pedestrian, cyclist and motorcycle test scenarios.

A full 8.00-point penalty was applied to both the Toyota Hilux and Denza B5 for the risk posed by their front structure to occupants of oncoming vehicles. The Hyundai Palisade performed well in comparison, taking a 2.73 point penalty against the same criteria.

The Mitsubishi ASX achieved a four-star safety rating. The rating for the ASX should be noted by fleet purchasers and consumers as a departure from the popular vehicle’s previous rating. The vehicle showed Good performance in side impact and oblique pole tests, and strong Child Occupant Protection (83%), though Adult Occupant Protection was constrained by Weak chest protection for the driver in the frontal offset crash test and the absence of a centre airbag - the limiting factor in the ASX’s rating.

“It is great to see strong results from both established and emerging brands, including the Denza B5 and fully electric models such as the AION V,” ANCAP Chief Executive Officer, Carla Hoorweg said.

“These results show the importance of assessing new brands and models entering the market, regardless of segment or powertrain.

“Each star rating communicates a distinct level of protection, and these results give consumers insight into how these models perform and where manufacturers have advanced safety features of the vehicles.”

Details on all vehicles rated by ANCAP can be viewed on the ANCAP website.