EV6, C-Class sedan and VW Multivan get five star safety ratings

The Kia EV6, Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan and the Volkswagen Multivan plug-in hybrid have all received five stars in the latest ANCAP safety rating.

The EV6 earned ‘good’ grades across most tests. However, it did score a ‘marginal’ grade for driver chest and leg protection in a front-end crash.

“The Kia EV6 is equipped with the range of collision avoidance systems we’ve come to expect in today’s five star cars, and it performed particularly well for its ability to prevent collisions with cyclists, and oncoming vehicles in avoidance tests simulating intersection turns,” said ANCAP Chief Executive Officer, Carla Hoorweg.

Mercedes’ C-Class sedan is the only vehicle to achieve full points for both the driver and rear passenger (female dummies) in the full-width frontal test in the 2020-2022 testing bracket.

Its only flaw was an ‘adequate’ grade for tests of its pedestrian-detecting AEB system.

“The C-Class is the first Mercedes-Benz model to be tested against ANCAP’s 2020-2022 protocols, and it has not disappointed,” said Ms Hoorweg.

New Zealand gets the Volkswagen Multivan plug-in hybrid this month and the PHEV becomes the fourth People Mover assessed under ANCAP’s 2020-2022 protocols.

“As the first PHEV people mover to be rated by ANCAP, it’s pleasing to see Volkswagen have provided both a safe and environmentally-friendly option to their customers.”

A strong score of 89 per cent was achieved in the area of Child Occupant Protection with full points scored by the Multivan for both the 10- and 6-year-old child dummies in the frontal offset and side impact tests. 

The driver and front passenger also scored well in the frontal offset test, however in the oblique pole test the side curtain airbag detached from clips securing it to the roof rail and points were deducted.  As a result, scores were downgraded from Good to Adequate.

“Today’s results demonstrate that models across a range of market segments, brands and powertrains can continue to achieve the highest levels of safety for Australian and New Zealand consumers.”