ANCAP results 2016

A total of 45 new ANCAP ratings were published for 2016, with 95 per cent of the vehicles receiving a 5 star rating. The Mercedes Benz GLC had the highest overall score in ANCAP tests which cover both vehicle occupant and pedestrians. The Mercedes won the AA safest car award for 2016. Mazda CX9 was a close second. Of the 45 ANCAP rating published in 2016 only two were awarded a 4 star rating, these included MG's new SUV, the GS and the Haval H9. General manager of motoring services for the AA, Stella Stocks says the Haval H9 scored well in the areas of side impact and whiplash protection but did not perform well enough in the frontal offset test to enable a rating beyond four stars.  "Lower leg protection was marginal and there was a slight risk of serious chest injury for the driver," she says. Meanwhile, the Mercedes Benz Vito did not fit head-protecting side airbags as standard – a mandatory requirement for a five-star ANCAP safety rating. Following pressure from ANCAP, Mercedes-Benz implemented a mid-cycle production change with all Vito vans produced from July 2016 to have head-protecting side airbags (window bags) as standard.  As a result, all Vito vans built after July 2016 will hold the maximum 5 star ANCAP safety rating.  "Vito vans produced prior to this which lack head-protecting side airbags hold a 4 star ANCAP safety rating," says Stocks. To find out more about the list of vehicles that were rated in 2016, click here.