5 star safety ratings continue across range of brands, powertrains and segments.

The Kia EV6 (SUV) and Mercedes-Benz C-Class (sedan) have today been awarded maximum 5 star ANCAP safety ratings. The Volkswagen Multivan PHEV (people mover), on sale in New Zealand, has also been awarded 5 stars.

All three models have been assessed against ANCAP’s 2020-2022 requirements – demonstrating models across a range of market segments, brands and powertrains can continue to achieve the highest levels of safety for Australian and New Zealand consumers.

All single and dual motor variants of the Kia EV6 battery electric vehicle (BEV) are covered by the 5 star ANCAP safety rating. Good scores were achieved across all key areas of assessment, with full points scored for the driver in both the side impact and oblique pole tests, and for child occupants in the frontal offset test. Marginal performance however was recorded for the driver’s chest and lower leg in the frontal offset (MPDB) test.

“The Kia EV6 is equipped with the range of collision avoidance systems we’ve come to expect in today’s five star cars, and it performed particularly well for its ability to prevent collisions with cyclists, and oncoming vehicles in avoidance tests simulating intersection turns,” said ANCAP Chief Executive Officer, Carla Hoorweg.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class also achieved good all-round scores. Full points were scored for both the driver and rear passenger (female dummies) in the full-width frontal test – the only vehicle to achieve this full score against 2020-2022 criteria.

Good levels of performance were recorded in all autonomous emergency braking (AEB) car-to-car test scenarios, including the ability of the C-Class to avoid or mitigate a collision when turning across the path of an oncoming vehicle. Adequate performance was shown in tests of its pedestrian-detecting AEB system.

“The C-Class is the first Mercedes-Benz model to be tested against ANCAP’s 2020-2022 protocols, and it has not disappointed,” said Ms Hoorweg.

The Volkswagen Multivan plug-in hybrid (PHEV) - introduced to New Zealand consumers this month - becomes the fourth People Mover assessed under ANCAP’s 2020-2022 protocols.

Dual frontal and side chest-protecting airbags and side-head protecting airbags for the first, second and third seating rows of the Multivan are fitted as standard. A centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes is also standard.

“As the first PHEV people mover to be rated by ANCAP, it’s pleasing to see Volkswagen have provided both a safe and environmentally-friendly option to their customers.”

A strong score of 89 per cent was achieved in the area of Child Occupant Protection with full points scored by the Multivan for both the 10 year and 6 year old child dummies in the frontal offset and side impact tests. The driver and front passenger also scored well in the frontal offset test, however in the oblique pole test the side curtain airbag detached from clips securing it to the roof rail and points were deducted. As a result, scores were downgraded from Good to Adequate.

“Today’s results demonstrate that models across a range of market segments, brands and powertrains can continue to achieve the highest levels of safety for Australian and New Zealand consumers,” Ms Hoorweg added.