ANCAP: Five stars all round in latest tests

FORD'S new-generation Mondeo has been awarded a five-star safety rating in the latest round of crash testing by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), ahead of its Australian launch late next month.

The mid-size sedan and wagon range was one of three models to score the maximum five stars in the most recent tests by Euro NCAP, alongside Toyota's Prius V hybrid MPV and the Lexus NX crossover.

The Mondeo scored 36.07 out of a possible 37 points, achieving an 'acceptable' rating in the frontal offset test for driver and passenger leg protection, while driver head protection in the side pole test was 'good'.

In almost all tests the Mondeo scored top marks, except for the pedestrian protection test where it scored a zero for providing poor protection of the pelvis region, ensuring an overall pedestrian rating of 'acceptable'.

Standard safety gear on the Mondeo includes the emergency call function that automatically dials emergency services in a crash and allows the driver to talk to an operator hands-free. As well, it has side curtain airbags for both rows, inflatable rear seatbelts and trailer stability control.

The Lexus NX compact SUV scored 35.39 thanks to a perfect 16 out of 16 for the side impact test, a maximum two points for the pole test, 14.39 out of a possible 16 for the frontal offset test and an 'acceptable' rating for pedestrian protection.

Sold in Australia since late last year, the NX features standard or optional active safety equipment, depending on the variant, that includes a blind-spot monitor, cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning and a 360-degree panoramic view monitor.

Lexus Australia chief executive Sean Hanley said the list of safety gear in the NX helped ensured a top score from ANCAP.

“At their core Lexus vehicles are all about quality and integrity, and safety is a major and critical element of this,” he said.

“All Lexus models sold in Australia feature advanced active and passive safety features, and this is evidenced in the five-star ANCAP ratings of our tested models.”Toyota's Prius V hybrid people-mover rated 35.48 out of 37, with 'good' ratings for whiplash and pedestrian protection, full marks for the pole test and 15.27 out of 16 for the side impact test after losing points for chest protection, which was rated as 'acceptable'.

ANCAP chief executive officer Nicholas Clarke praised the level of safety equipment in the seven-seat Toyota, which, along with the Mondeo and NX, is available with autonomous emergency braking as an option in higher-spec variants. “The Toyota Prius V has excellent family car credentials,” he said. “It has side head-protection (curtain airbags) and seat belt reminders for all three rows, reversing camera, and provides excellent pedestrian protection,” he said.

A facelifted version of the Prius V will arrive in showrooms mid-year with minor changes to styling, upgraded infotainment and cabin materials and tweaked suspension. Australian pricing and specification are yet to be confirmed.

The Mondeo will roll into dealerships from early May, with prices ranging from $32,790, plus on-road costs, for the base Ambiente EcoBoost petrol hatch, to $49,340 for the diesel-powered Titanium wagon.

Lexus launched the NX300h in October, while Japanese car-maker's first turbocharged petrol engine made its debut in the NX200t that went on sale early last month.