Mixed results in ANCAP testing

Testing results released in May saw the new Toyota RAV4, VW Touareg, Range Rover Evoque and Lexus UX all score a 5-star safety rating, with this maximum rating applying to all variants of these models, too.

“Petrol and hybrid-powered Toyota RAV4 models scored well across the range of tests, with strong performance of its autonomous emergency braking system seen across a range of speeds and scenarios with cars, pedestrians and cyclists,” said ANCAP Chief Executive, James Goodwin. “(But) in the oblique pole test, engineers noted an issue with the deployment of the side curtain airbag and penalties were applied.

“The Range Rover Evoque offers a range of active safety assist systems, and tests of its autonomous emergency braking scored well. Tests of lane support functionality showed some ‘Good’ performance, however the system does not intervene in more critical emergency lane keeping scenarios,” Goodwin added.

Both the large VW Touareg and compact Lexus UX scored a ‘Good’ protection rating in most testing, but the Touareg recorded a ‘Marginal’ score for the chest of the driver in both frontal crash tests and the oblique pole test.

In contrast to this, the new Jeep Wrangler scored the lowest 1-star rating, due to scores of just 50 per cent for Adult Occupant Protection, 49 per cent for Vulnerable Road User Protection and 32 per cent for Safety Assist.

“The safety performance of the Wrangler is limited, falling well shy of the expected standard in three of the four key areas of assessment,” Goodwin said.

“Chest protection was a concern for the driver and rear passenger in each of the frontal crash tests; a number of penalties were applied for structural deformation and potential leg injury hazards; and base variants lack autonomous emergency braking altogether.”