Toyota HiAce, Ford Transit ‘safest’ vans in new study

The Toyota HiAce and Ford Transit have emerged as the safest commercial vans on the market in terms of collision avoidance (or ‘active safety’), according to a new study by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).

ANCAP said the increase in home delivery services and online purchases during the COVID-19 pandemic this year had led to an increase in the number of vans on the road, prompting it to assess 15 of the major players across the light, medium and heavy commercial vehicle categories.

The independent safety watchdog evaluated each model’s advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including autonomous emergency braking (AEB) at low and high speeds, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, speed limiters, intelligent seatbelt reminders and driver fatigue monitoring.  

Of the vehicles assessed, the Toyota HiAce and Ford Transit each received a ‘gold’ overall collision avoidance rating (based on a 60 per cent standard or higher), compared to five models rated ‘silver’ (40-59%), three with ‘bronze’ (20-39%) and four that were stamped ‘Not Recommended’ due to what ANCAP describes as “their poor activity active safety specification” (-20% standard).

These poor-performing vehicles were the Hyundai iLoad, Renault Trafic, Mitsubishi Express (which is based on the Renault Trafic), Renault Master and IVECO Daily.

While HiAce was the standout performer on 77 per cent, and Transit next best on 63 per cent, those models with a silver rating were, in order, the Ford Transit Custom (58%), Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (52%), Volkswagen Transporter (50%), and the Peugeot Expert and Volkswagen Crafter (both 44%).

The bronzed models were the Peugeot Boxer (33%), Fiat Ducato (28%) and Mercedes-Benz Vito (23%), while those with a black mark against their nameplate had the following scores: Mitsubishi Express and Renault Trafic (both 11%), IVECO Daily and Renault Master (both 6%) and the Hyundai iLoad (5%).

Notably, the iLoad received a good four-star overall ANCAP crash test rating back in 2011, when ‘Safety Assist’ capability was not included in the result, and the Vito scored a maximum five stars in 2014 – including 85 per cent for Safety Assist.

We note that the assessment protocols, including Safety Assist, have become progressively tougher in recent years, and the only ANCAP rating on a commercial van since 2019 is for the Toyota HiAce, which earned five stars (77% Safety Assist).

“The results of this new analysis come at an important time,” said ANCAP director of communications and advocacy, Rhianne Robson.

“COVID-related lockdowns across Australia and New Zealand have created a surge in demand for delivery services, and as a result, many areas have seen a rise in the number of commercial vans on the road.

According to ANCAP, commercial vans do not necessarily have a higher crash rate than other vehicles, however “crashes involving vans tend to be more severe for the opponent vehicle and vulnerable road users due to their inherent design characteristics making them more ‘aggressive’”.

“With the increasing number of van movements, the risk to other road users – in other vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists – increases, so it is important fleets and van operators are aware of the heightened risk these vehicles pose to others,” Robson said.

“Commercial vans generally operate with higher levels of exposure and hold a much longer economic lifespan due to their primary commercial-use and goods-carrying function, and this makes their active safety capability arguably even more critical than that of passenger cars.

“ANCAP’s influence over the passenger vehicle and SUV segments has seen a marked improvement in safety specification over the years – with great gains made with the fitting of active collision avoidance systems, and this analysis will now place a spotlight on the previously peripheral segment of the market which has noticeably lagged,” she said.

ANCAP’s latest study follows a recent comparison test of the AEB systems in 10 top-selling vehicles on the market.

In that test, Toyota and Mazda vehicles were deemed the best performers.

Commercial Van ADAS Performance Test results:
Toyota HiAce (77%) – Gold
Ford Transit (63%) – Gold
Ford Transit Custom (58%) – Silver
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (52%) – Silver
Volkswagen Transporter (50%) – Silver
Peugeot Expert (44%) – Silver
Volkswagen Crafter (44%) – Silver
Peugeot Boxer (33%) – Bronze
Fiat Ducato (28%) – Bronze
Mercedes-Benz Vito (23%) – Bronze
Mitsubishi Express (11%) – Not Recommended
Renault Trafic (11%) – Not Recommended
IVECO Daily (6%) – Not Recommended
Renault Master (6%) – Not Recommended
Hyundai iLoad (5%) – Not Recommended