Three more new vehicles have recently earned a 5 star safety rating from the combined motoring organisations and automobile associations of Australia and New Zealand.
The cars are the Mitsubishi Mirage, the Ford Kuga and the Volkswagen Beetle.
General Manager of the NSW Centre for Road Safety, Marg Prendergast, said new car buyers were the winners with more 5 star rated vehicles on the market than ever before. “We have now tested six vehicles in 2013 and all of them have earned the coveted 5 star rating,” Ms Prendergast said.
“The news is especially pleasing considering the stricter requirements vehicles must meet in order to reach the 5 star safety standard.”
Returning to the Mitsubishi fleet after a ten- year absence, the Mirage is a safe and cheap small car option for new car buyers. The Kuga has upheld its 5 star rating across all variants of its second-generation model, while the Beetle has improved from last time it was tested.
NRMA vehicle safety expert Jack Haley said that it was encouraging to see that almost 70% of new cars sold in January held a 5 star ANCAP rating.
"We applaud manufacturers for striving to higher safety standards and would like to see this positive trend continue as we raise the bar for all safety ratings each year under the ANCAP Rating Road Map program,” Mr Haley said.
“We would also like to see manufacturers all reaching the top level of pedestrian protection, as there are very few there now.”
Further information can be found at www.ancap.com.au
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