The newly launched 2017 Toyota C-HR has scored a 5 star ANCAP rating but ANCAP is disappointed Australian variants don’t get the European-spec AEB system.
THE NEW TOYOTA C-HR has scored a 5 star ANCAP rating after being tested by Euro NCAP (Australia will move to adopt Euro NCAP testing from 2018).
The C-HR scored 33.18 out of 38 for Adult Occupant Protection, 38.03 out of 49 for Child Occupant Protection, and 27.44 out of 42 for Pedestrian Protection. Interestingly, the C-HR almost line-balls the recently slammed Ford Mustang for Pedestrian Protection which scored 27.0 out of 42. However, it was roundly beaten by the BMW X1 which was tested in October 2016. Sure, the BMW is more expensive, but it achieved 34.5 out of 38 for Adult Occupant Protection, 43.0 out of 49 for Child Occupant Protection, and 26.7 out of 36 for Pedestrian Protection. This highlights the spread of scores that can still result in a 5 star rating.
Read our Australian first drive of the new Toyota C-HR.
According to ANCAP, the C-HR could have scored higher in its Pedestrian Protection rating had Australian models adopted the same AEB system as those being sold in Europe, which is able to recognise pedestrians as well as objects like vehicles.
“It is disappointing though that the AEB system on C-HR models supplied to our market is not as advanced as the system fitted to European models where it can detect pedestrians,” said ANCAP CEO, James Goodwin.
That said, the 5 star rating is good news for buyers as it shows that car makers are able to cram advanced systems into compact vehicles at a price point that doesn’t break the bank.
“The C-HR is an example of an affordable model which meets high levels of safety in all areas of assessment,” said ANCAP Chief Executive Officer, Mr James Goodwin.
“As a new entrant in the competitive Compact SUV segment, top safety credentials are a must if it is to win consumer sales, and it is encouraging to see key safety features provided as standard.”
“We’re continually raising the bar, and vehicle brands which keep pace will be rewarded with our 5 star stamp,” he added.
Oh Down Under!
1) No one cares in Australia
2) TMCA wouldn’t have chosen to not spec it that way. TMC (Japan) would have only allowed the Australian spec to have this available so you can blame TMC for this.
3) This isn’t uncommon especially on Lexus models
Does any body really care about pedestrian score? Hands up those that have hit a pedestrian or even know anyone that has hit a pedestrian. We don’t need stinking tech to help us not hit pedestrians.
You would care if you’re the person that this C-HR is headed towards as the driver experiences a medical issue behind the wheel similar to the poor lady in Chatswood who today was reported to have unfortunately died.
The thing is…when it comes time to be that pedestrian that gets hit, you have no say what hits you.
Well you’d want to hope that it has a way for it to detect any vulnerable road users. The more this sort of technology is out there, then the more everyone, not just the occupants in a car, will be safer.
It’s like vaccination. Even if you choose not to be vaccinated, you’d want to hope everyone else around you is so that you don’t catch anything. i.e. Herd immunity.
Yes we can strive to be more perfect but humans are not perfect 100% of
the time. Things happen, other people aren’t as “perfect” as “us” and we can’t just say, “Tough luck, it was an accident” when we know that we can do better to prevent these collisions.
There is always everybody can contribute to prevent collisions as they are rarely ever “accidents”. A falling tree that hits your car is an accident. Getting struck by lightning is an accident (as long as you’re not standing under a tree). Colliding in a car is rarely ever an accident and we should change our language accordingly to stop calling them accidents.