Top safety marks for seven models

Independent Australian automotive safety body ANCAP has awarded seven models its top five-star crash rating overnight, including the two newest seven-seat off-road SUVs.

All versions of the new Ford Everest and Toyota Fortuner scored a five-star safety rating – the same as the respective Ranger and HiLux one-tonne utes on which they're based.

However, as Ford points out, the Everest's result follows an actual crash test of the vehicle by ANCAP and ASEAN NCAP, while Toyota provided ANCAP with evidence showing the HiLux's five-star result also applies to the Fortuner.

Also achieving a five-star safety status from ANCAP – echoing the five-star Euro NCAP rating they've already received – are all versions of Volkswagen's new Passat sedan and wagon and diesel versions of Volvo's new XC90, both of which were also launched this month.

Updated models to retain their five-star ANCAP rating are all versions of the facelifted Lexus IS sedan, Ford Ranger MKII ute and Toyota LandCruiser.

The latter applies to the facelifted LC 200 Series wagon – not the LC 70 Series ute, which continues with just three stars.

“It is encouraging to see more five-star ANCAP safety-rated vehicles being released into the Australian and New Zealand markets, giving consumers greater choice when buying a new vehicle,” said ANCAP CEO James Goodwin.

“The Volvo XC90 and Lexus IS both have Autonomous Electronic Braking (AEB) fitted as standard across all variants and we urge new car buyers to ask for this potentially life-saving technology when looking for a new vehicle,” he said.

“Five-star ratings for both the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Everest demonstrate the increasing safety focus in the off-road SUV marketplace.

“The proportion of models achieving a five-star ANCAP safety rating has gradually increased from zero in 2002 to 77 per cent of rated models on sale today."