ANCAP has awarded the 2015 Ford Mondeo (launching in May), Toyota Prius V and Lexus NX which was launched last year with 5 star ratings.

ANCAP HAS today announced 5-star safety ratings for the Ford Mondeo (which arrives in May – April for New Zealand), Toyota Prius V and Lexus NX.  These ratings extend across all current model variants.

According to ANCAP, the Ford Mondeo scored highly, and indeed it did, realising 36.07 out of a possible 37 to achieve its 5 star rating, and in the all-important frontal offset test it scored 15.64/16. The Mondeo comes equipped with a long list of safety features including side head-protecting (curtain) airbags for front and second row seats, inflatable rear seat belts, smart key, trailer stability control and automatic emergency call (Australian models only) as standard.

The seven-seat Toyota Prius V hybrid also scored 5 stars (with all models built since 2012 included in the rating) it achieved a total score of 35.48 out of 37 and 15.21/16 for the frontal offset test. 

“The Toyota Prius V has excellent family car credentials,” said ANCAP Chief Executive Officer, Nicholas Clarke.  “It has side head-protection (curtain airbags) and seat belt reminders for all three rows, reversing camera, and provides excellent pedestrian protection.”

Similarly, all variants of the Lexus NX launched late last year also achieved 5 star ratings scoring 35.39 out of 37 and 14.39/16 in the frontal offset test.

In praising the 5 star rating of the Ford, Toyota and Lexus ANCAP reminded car makers that while it was commendable that autonomous emergency braking was offered on higher-priced variants it should be available as standard on all variants.

“With ANCAP’s annual increases to requirements, ANCAP reminds consumers to look for two simple things when buying their next car.  First, look for 5 stars.  Second, look for a model which has the latest ANCAP date stamp.  That way you can be assured you’re buying one of the safest cars possible,” said Clarke.