Green trio scores top safety marks

ANCAP has this week awarded top safety marks to three all-electric newcomers: the Genesis GV60, Kia Niro and Tesla Model Y.

The Genesis GV60 – which is closely related to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 – achieved solid scores across most test categories with full points for protection of the front-seat passenger in the frontal offset test, the driver in the side impact test, and for both child occupants in the frontal and side impact crash scenarios.

While still within the five-star threshold, the GV60’s overall Vulnerable Road User score was lower than its segment counterparts at 63 per cent. The front bumper of the GV60 provided Good protection to a struck pedestrian’s lower legs, however protection of the pelvis was predominantly Poor with just 0.45 points scored out of a possible 6.00.

The Genesis GV60 scored 89 per cent in the Adult Occupant Protection category, 89 per cent in the Child Occupant Protection category, 63 per cent in the Vulnerable Road User Protection category, and 88 per cent in the Safety Assist category.

For the Kia Niro range – including battery electric (BEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and hybrid variants – ANCAP scored maximum points for front row occupants in the side impact and oblique pole test, in the upper and lower leg tests for pedestrians, and for the model’s ability to actively avoid or mitigate a crash with another vehicle for intersection turning scenarios.

ANCAP said the design of the Kia Niro was shown to be a relatively benign impact partner, presenting a low risk to occupants of an oncoming struck vehicle in the frontal offset test.

The Kia Niro scored 88 per cent in the Adult Occupant Protection category, 84 per cent in the Child Occupant Protection category, 76 per cent in the Vulnerable Road User Protection category, and 87 per cent in the Safety Assist category.

Finally, the Tesla Model Y impressed across all four pillars of ANCAP’s assessment, achieving a record score of 98 per cent in the Safety Assist category and the highest Adult Occupant Protection score to date against the latest 2020-2022 rating criteria at 97 per cent.

ANCAP said the Model Y demonstrated high levels of performance for its ability to avoid a crash with another vehicle, pedestrian, or cyclist, and maximum points were awarded across most collision avoidance test scenarios.

The Model Y is also fitted as standard with a direct Driver Monitoring System (DMS) which uses on-board camera-based monitoring to detect a distracted driver and automatically enhances the sensitivity of the Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system to be more reactive if distraction or impaired driving characteristics are detected.

ANCAP said that from 2023, direct DMS functionality will be assessed under its test and rating criteria – a step forward from the assessment of indirect monitoring systems that form part of the current rating criteria.

The Tesla Model Y scored 97 per cent in the Adult Occupant Protection category, 89 per cent in the Child Occupant Protection category, 82 per cent in the Vulnerable Road User Protection category, and 98 per cent in the Safety Assist category.

“The results we’ve released today will give confidence to those in the market for an alternative-powered Small SUV,” said ANCAP Chief Executive Officer, Carla Hoorweg.

“All three models offer high levels of safety performance across the range of ANCAP assessment areas, demonstrating the clear ability for electric vehicle models to tick both the safe and green checkboxes.

“Today’s results demonstrate why ANCAP is encouraging all levels of government to ensure subsidies and incentives for alternative-powered vehicles are only provided to models offering the highest levels of safety,” she concluded.