Landcruiser now 5 stars

The latest Toyota Landcruiser 70 single cab chassis has hit the market with a 5 star Australasian New Car Assessment Programme (ANCAP) safety rating, jumping up two stars. AA network support manager Philip Collings says the standard of safety in new cars has improved markedly in the past six years and Toyota had to make some significant changes to the model to achieve a maximum 5 star rating. “It’s fantastic to see manufacturers like Toyota learning from previous ratings and pushing itself to meet and sometimes exceed existing high standards,” he said. After receiving a 3 star rating in 2010, Toyota upgraded the new model with structural improvements to the chassis and cabin, the addition of head-protecting side curtain airbags, driver knee airbag, and changes to the bonnet and seat design. ANCAP chief executive James Goodwin was encouraged by Toyota’s response in implementing design changes and safety upgrades asked for by commercial and fleet buyers. “Safety is a key consideration for everyday consumers and corporations, with a significant proportion of businesses requiring minimum 5 star vehicle standards, not only for their own fleets but also for their contractors. “This competitive pressure has resulted in a 2 star jump for the Landcruiser 70 and will have a tangible effect on the safety of worksites and more broadly, Australasia’s vehicle fleet,” Goodwin said. The latest Toyota Prius introduced to the New Zealand market earlier this year also achieved a 5 star ANCAP safety rating. It comes equipped with a range of safety features, including Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Attention Assist for when drivers get fatigued, and two grades of Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) – City and Interurban. However, New Zealand is missing out on additional AEB technology that protects pedestrians and cyclists as well as Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPSM) – features only available in this model in Europe and the USA. “While it’s understandable that manufacturers want to keep the price down, we urge them not to undervalue New Zealanders or their safety and want to see the same safety features available overseas offered here,” Collings said.