The Ford Kuga, Mitsubishi Mirage and Volkswagen Beetle have all been awarded a maximum five-star safety rating by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) in the latest round of new vehicle crash tests.
The second-generation Ford Kuga (pictured above) maintained the five-star mark of the first-gen SUV with a score of 36.33 out of a possible 37, with the safety of all variants aided by dual front, side, curtain, and knee airbags as standard equipment along with seatbelt reminders, anti-lock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, and electronic stability control.
Upon its recent return to the Australian new-car market after a 10-year absence, the Mitsubishi Mirage (pictured above) has also impressed ANCAP scoring 34.07 out of 37 with solid results across all four assessment criteria. With dual front, side, and curtain airbags as standard equipment and the inclusion of front occupant seatbelt reminders, anti-lock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, emergency brake assist, and electronic stability control, ANCAP says the new Mirage “provides a safe choice for consumers looking for a low-cost new car”.
In achieving its new five-star safety rating, the new Volkswagen Beetle (pictured below) has bettered the previous Beetle’s four-star mark. With dual front, side, and curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, electronic stability control, and seatbelt reminders all standard, the new Beetle scored 35.28 out of 37.
ANCAP chairman Lauchlan McIntosh said it was encouraging to see that nearly 70 per cent of new cars sold in the first month of 2013 held a five-star ANCAP safety rating.
“ANCAP wants to see this positive trend continue as we raise the bar for all safety ratings year on year,” McIntosh said.
“More five-star cars on the market means safer drivers, occupants and pedestrians.”
The Mitsubishi Mirage launched in January, while the new second-generation Ford Kuga and new Volkswagen Beetle are due to go on sale locally in the coming months.
