Safety is in the details for 5 star family cars

New Zealand’s love of SUVs continues to be fuelled with a healthy supply of 5 star rated ANCAP vehicles.

Audi’s new Q2, Q5 including SQ5 variants, as well as 4x4 variants of the Skoda Kodiaq and Cooper D variants of the new Mini Countryman have all achieved the top rating, but the scores and safety assist technologies vary across the vehicles.

“It’s worth noting that Audi has released a higher standard safety specification version of the Q2 in New Zealand than in Australia, which may make it slightly more expensive, but better value for buyers in the long run,” says Ms Stocks.

The New Zealand version has a number of features that are optional in Australia but standard here including blind spot monitoring, hill launch assist, speed assistance – speed sign recognition and warning, following distance warning, reverse collision avoidance, and trailer stability control.

All four cars come with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) as standard, a crash avoidance technology which automatically engages the brakes of a vehicle when it senses a hazard within critical range, including pedestrians and cyclists.

Drivers and passengers also fared well in the crash tests across all four vehicles, though when it came to child protection the margins were slightly wider.

“Depending on what the main use of your car is, sometimes it’s worth drilling down into the detail behind the rating to ensure it ticks the boxes you want it to, and for the best price."

The Australasian New Car Assessment Programme tests for the safety of vehicle occupants and pedestrians, as well as outlines the safety assist technologies included in the vehicle.

The full list of ANCAP’s vehicle safety ratings, other vehicle safety information and the specifications of the rated vehicles are available online at ancap.co.nz or rightcar.govt.nz.

ANCAP is supported by all Australian motoring clubs, the New Zealand Automobile Association, the Australian Government, the New Zealand Government, Australian state and territory governments, the Victorian Transport Accident Commission, NRMA Insurance and the FIA Foundation.

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