Airbags, ESC star for safety

New cars score well for safety of drivers and passengers in the latest vehicle crash tests, thanks to wider use of airbags.

The Subaru Tribeca, a large four-wheel drive, receives a five-star rating for driver and passenger protection in Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) tests published.

Four-star scores go to the Nissan Maxima, Honda Odyssey and Holden Viva, while the Mitsubishi Colt receives three stars.

Several vehicles available in Australia were tested also by the European New Car Assessment Program.

The Lexus IS250 and Mercedes B Class received five stars, while the Land Rover Discovery 3, Mazda3 and Kia Carnival all rated with four stars.

NRMA vehicle safety expert Jack Haley said it was encouraging that nearly all the cars tested had a full complement of front, side and head-protecting curtain airbags.

"We are pleased that manufacturers are responding to ANCAP's call for a full airbag package in new vehicles," he said.

Curtain airbags are not standard on all variants of the Honda Odyssey, Nissan Maxima, Kia Carnival and Mazda3, although the tested models all had them, Mr Haley said.

NSW Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) road safety general manager Soames Job said relatively few manufacturers fitted Electronic Stability Control (ESC) technology, designed to improve the car's handling.

"About 20 per cent of new passenger vehicles sold in Australia have ESC. This is a good start and the industry claims this will rise to around 40 per cent by mid-2007," Dr Job said.

"However, we would like manufacturers and importers to fit ESC as a standard feature in all Australian vehicles as quickly as possible."

NRMA and the NSW RTA encourage new car buyers to consider vehicles with a full array of six airbags and ESC.

None of the cars fared well in tests on the impact on pedestrians in a collision, however.

The Honda Odyssey, Lexus IS250, Mazda3, Mercedes B Class, Holden Viva and Nissan Maxima received a two-star rating, while the Land Rover Discovery, Mitsubishi Colt and Kia Carnival managed only one star.

Source: AAP 2006