EV secures four stars

Suzuki’s e Vitara has been awarded a four-star rating with the battery-electric small SUV demonstrating “sound capability” in most areas of safety performance.

ANCAP says the EV’s overall rating was constrained by its adult-occupant protection score with results ranging from “good to weak” noted in the full-width test. 

The e Vitara isn’t fitted with a head-protecting centre airbag to reduce injury to occupants in side-impact crashes.

The newly introduced Audi Q3 has achieved five stars under the 2023-25 criteria by delivering a “well-rounded” safety performance.

Carla Hoorweg, pictured, ANCAP’s chief executive officer, says the results reflect the level of performance required to achieve the highest rating.

She adds: “It’s encouraging to see improvements in safety performance across the market. This latest rating achieved by the e Vitara is evidence Suzuki can produce a model that offers sound levels of safety performance.

“These outcomes show higher levels of safety are within reach and continued focus on delivering consistent performance across all areas is key to achieving the highest rating.”

Updated ratings have been issued for Audi’s A3, the Cupra Leon and Nissan Qashqai after specification changes and reassessment against eligible criteria.

The A3 and Cupra have retained five-star ratings with models continuing to offer a high level of safety performance across all areas of assessment.

The Qashqai has been reassessed to four stars. Child-occupant protection remains a “strong suit” for the updated model. However, its performance in other assessment areas was unable “to keep pace with contemporary five-star levels”.