Five-star safety for Isuzu D-MAX and Toyota Yaris

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has awarded the all-new Isuzu D-MAX and Toyota Yaris the maximum five-star safety rating under a tougher new crash-testing regime put in place this year.

The stricter requirements for 2020 include scenarios that closer represent real-world conditions, including an upgraded frontal offset test that simulates a collision with an oncoming vehicle, as well as a more rigorous assessment of autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems as they become more sophisticated.

As a result, both the Isuzu D-MAX and Toyota Yaris now stand as the new safety benchmark in their respective ute and light hatch categories.

The ratings are not unexpected, with the third-generation D-MAX packed with loads of new safety tech, including a segment-first front central airbag (between the driver and passenger), advanced autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, multi-collision braking, lane keeping assistance and much more.

Full points for safety were awarded for adult occupant protection (83 per cent) in both the side impact and oblique pole crash tests, while full points were also scored for child occupant protection (89 per cent) in the frontal offset and side impact tests.

The D-MAX scored 69 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and 81 per cent for its safety assist features.

ANCAP spokesperson Rhianne Robson said the Isuzu D-MAX rating has been “highly anticipated by fleet and private buyers, and re-establishes the safety benchmark for the competitive ute segment”.

All 20 Isuzu D-MAX variants – single cab, space cab, crew cab and cab-chassis – have been awarded ANCAP’s five-star safety rating.

Before now, only select D-MAX variants had been awarded a five-star safety rating, following the previous model’s crash test in 2013.

For Toyota, the top safety rating for its new-generation Yaris reflects the model’s significant move upmarket and standard fitment of a vast array of advanced safety equipment.

This includes class-first dual centre airbags as well as autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with a turn assistance feature which minimises the chance of colliding with oncoming vehicles at an intersection.

ANCAP says the third-generation Yaris performed well, achieving full points for the protection of adult occupants (86 per cent) in both the side impact and oblique pole tests, as well as protection of child occupants (87 per cent) in the side impact scenario.

In terms of vulnerable road user protection (pedestrians and cyclists), the new Yaris scored 78 per cent, while the safety assist testing resulted in a score of 87 per cent.