Five-star safety for Mercedes-Benz EQC

The Mercedes-Benz EQC is yet to officially reach Australia, but when it does touch down the German marque's first electric offering will be come with a maximum five-star safety rating.

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) formally handed down its marks this month, with the EQC securing a record-equaling 92 per cent child protection score and a high 96 per cent adult occupant protection score.

Priced from $137,900 (plus ORCs), local deliveries of the luxury car-maker’s first EV are set to commence early 2020.

ANCAP chief executive James Goodwin said it was encouraging to see Mercedes’ high levels of safety carry across with their first EV in Australia.

“The EQC scored well for its protection of children with close to full points scored for its ability to physically protect child occupants as well as its ability to safely accommodate a range of child restraints in the second row,” he said.

The EQC scored well in other areas, including a result of 75 per cent mark for vulnerable road users (pedestrians and cyclists) and 76 per cent for its safety assist systems.

Meantime, Toyota’s new Corolla sedan has also been awarded a full five-star ANCAP safety rating.

Due to launch before the year’s end, the sedan scored 96 per cent for adult occupant protection, 83 per cent for child occupant protection and 86 per cent for vulnerable road user protection.

A score of 76 per cent was awarded for the Corolla sedan’s safety assist systems.

“As one of Australia and New Zealand’s most popular new passenger vehicles, the Corolla provides very good all-round safety performance including collision avoidance capabilities,” said Goodwin.

The five-star rating applies to every Corolla sedan variant to go on sale from this year.