Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5 rated five-star safe in NZ
Kiwi-spec electric SUVs get top ANCAP safety marks despite omitting a key feature available in EuropeThe upcoming 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5 twins have been awarded a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating in New Zealand to coincide with their local market introduction, which bodes well for the mid-size electric SUV duo’s eventual Australian launch in the second quarter of next year.
Tested against the 2020-2022 protocols, the Toyota RAV4-size VW ID.4 and its coupe-style ID.5 sibling both garnered a 93 per cent mark for their adult occupant protection, 89 per cent for child occupant protection, 76 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and 76 per cent for their safety assist systems.
The latter two scores are the result of ‘adequate’ autonomous emergency braking and active emergency lane-keeping (ELK) functionality, and the omission of a speed limit information function – the latter of which is offered as standard on European ID.4s and ID.5s.
Inclusion of such a feature would’ve bumped the SUV duo’s safety assists score up to about 85 per cent and was something ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg strongly encouraged VW to rectify come the first model year update.
“It is good to see Volkswagen’s new ID models arrive into New Zealand with five-star ANCAP safety ratings,” she said.
“We’d encourage Volkswagen to consider including speed limit information functionality in future upgrades, to ensure all buyers are provided with the same level of safety specification as offered in the European market.”
We don’t know yet whether the Australia-bound ID.4 and ID.5 ranges will align with the European or Kiwi markets in terms of structure and or specification levels, but it has been confirmed the performance-minded GTX versions of each will be available from launch.
VW’s Australian arm will be hoping its wave of upcoming EVs – ID.3 hatch and ID. Buzz people-mover included – are successful, given it just announced the local axing of the Passat, Golf Wagon and Arteon in order to “make room” for the German brand’s first local zero-emissions models.
Related: Five new Volkswagen EVs here by 2025
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