ANCAP Announces Five-Star Safety Ratings for Toyota LandCruiser Prado and Kia EV5
The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has unveiled its latest safety ratings, confirming that the newly tested Toyota LandCruiser Prado and Kia EV5 have both earned coveted five-star ratings. These results reflect ANCAP’s most rigorous testing standards to date.
In a broader context, the announcement came alongside the disappointing safety rating for the Suzuki Swift hatchback, which managed only one star—contrasting sharply with its three-star rating by ANCAP’s European counterpart, Euro NCAP.
With the Prado and EV5 now recognized, they join an exclusive group of 25 vehicles to receive a five-star rating since the introduction of the 2023-2025 test criteria.
| Model | Star Rating | Adult Occupant Protection | Child Occupant Protection | Vulnerable Road User Protection | Safety Assist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota LandCruiser Prado | 5 stars | 85% | 89% | 84% | 82% |
| Kia EV5 | 5 stars | 88% | 86% | 74% | 82% |
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Distinct from eight other models whose scores were released recently, the Prado, EV5, and Swift underwent testing specifically in Australia, rather than relying on Euro NCAP evaluations.
ANCAP’s assessments revealed that the Prado offers robust protection for most crucial driver and passenger areas during frontal offset crash tests. However, the test results indicated merely adequate protection for the driver’s lower leg, along with a marginal rating for chest protection.
Remarkably, the Prado achieved maximum scores for its child occupant safety, reflecting effective protection for both child dummies positioned in the back row. Additionally, the SUV demonstrated commendable performance in tests assessing its active collision avoidance systems, which can effectively detect other vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Carla Hoorweg, CEO of ANCAP, commented, “The new Toyota Prado delivers a robust level of safety that meets the expectations of both fleet buyers and everyday consumers. This outstanding result underscores Toyota’s ongoing commitment to safety across its entire model range.”
Never to be overlooked, the Kia EV5 surprised safety analysts with its impressive vehicle-to-vehicle compatibility, securing top marks for driver protection during side impact tests. Like the Prado, it also achieved perfect scores for child occupant safety in frontal tests.
ANCAP praised the EV5 for its effective safety assist technologies, particularly its advanced autonomous emergency braking and multi-collision systems. However, the assessment did reveal some vulnerabilities, including a slight opening in the footwell seam post-crash, reduced head protection for front seat occupants during oblique collisions, and potential hard knee contact during frontal tests, which led to point deductions in relevant categories.
All three models, including the Suzuki Swift, are currently available in dealerships across Australia and New Zealand. The Swift’s performance, rated at 47% for adult occupant protection, 59% for child occupant protection, 76% for vulnerable road user protection, and a mere 54% in safety assist, culminated in a one-star safety rating. This rating starkly contrasts with its higher three-star assessment in Europe, attributed to differences in vehicle specifications.
“Earlier this year, ANCAP learned of physical discrepancies between Swift models supplied locally and those in Europe, leading to a series of additional crash tests,” Ms. Hoorweg explained. “These tests unveiled areas of concern regarding the structural robustness of locally sold vehicles, resulting in noticeable variations in crash performance compared to their European counterparts.”
For more information on the Toyota LandCruiser Prado, the Kia EV5, or the safety performance of the Suzuki Swift, please refer to our dedicated features.
Source:www.carexpert.com.au
