17 Mar 2015

5 stars all round for new Ford Mondeo, Toyota Prius V and Lexus NX

ANCAP has today announced 5 star ANCAP safety ratings for three diverse models - the Ford Mondeo, Toyota Prius V and Lexus NX. These ratings extend across all current model variants.

The new Ford Mondeo due for launch in Australia and New Zealand in the coming months scored highly. It comes equipped with a long list of safety features including side head-protecting (curtain) airbags for front and second row seats, inflatable rear seat belts, smart key, trailer stability control and automatic emergency call (Australian models only) as standard.

The seven-seat Toyota Prius V hybrid people mover also passed ANCAP assessment with flying colours, achieving high scores in all physical crash tests and providing a broad range of standard key safety features. This has enabled all variants of the Prius V built from 2012 to earn the maximum 5 star ANCAP safety rating.

"The Toyota Prius V has excellent family car credentials," said ANCAP Chief Executive Officer, Mr Nicholas Clarke. "It has side head-protection (curtain airbags) and seat belt reminders for all three rows, reversing camera, and provides excellent pedestrian protection."

All variants of the Lexus NX launched late last year also meet the same 5 star level of safety.

Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) is available for all three models but only on higher-priced variants. While this is commendable, ANCAP encourages manufacturers to make this life-saving technology standard on all variants.

All three models qualify for a 2015 ANCAP date stamp. The purpose of the date stamp is to clearly communicate to consumers the year requirements against which a model has been assessed. Earlier date stamps indicate a model has been assessed to earlier, less stringent, standards.

"With ANCAP's annual increases to requirements, ANCAP reminds consumers to look for two simple things when buying their next car. First, look for 5 stars. Second, look for a model which has the latest ANCAP date stamp. That way you can be assured you're buying one of the safest cars possible," said Mr Clarke.

ANCAP is supported by all Australian and New Zealand motoring clubs, the Australian Government, the New Zealand Government, Australian state and territory governments, the Victorian Transport Accident Commission, NRMA Insurance and the FIA Foundation.

To search individual crash test results for more than 510 cars, learn more about safety features and technologies, and explore interactive features, visit ancap.com.au. To watch videos and download images and media releases, go to ancap.com.au/media-and-gallery.

Ford Mondeo (April 2015-onwards) frontal offset test at 64km/h

Lexus NX (2014 - Sep 2017) frontal offset test at 64km/h