New Citroen awarded four stars
The new Citroen C5 Aircross has received a four-star ANCAP safety rating following a subpar pedestrian and cyclist protection performance, while the new Peugeot 508, Mercedes-Benz B-Class and Mercedes-Benz CLA have all been awarded five stars.
The 2019 Ford Focus was also given an updated five-star safety rating in the latest round of ratings with a new adult occupant protection score of 96 per cent, up from 85 per cent, after Ford made safety improvements and then submitted it for retesting.
The Citroen received 87 per cent for adult occupant protection and 88 per cent for child occupant protection, but just 58 per cent pedestrian and cyclist protection, due largely to low autonomous emergency braking (AEB) scores. The AEB also performed poorly when the Citroen got close to another vehicle braking heavily in highway test scenarios.
AA Motoring Services general manager Stella Stocks says while four stars is still a good rating, buyers have come to expect that new vehicles will offer a high level of protection for all road users.
“The Citroen’s AEB won’t help the vehicle stop for cyclists in a potential collision, and it performed poorly in other potentially serious scenarios when you’d really want the AEB to kick in," says Stocks.
“It’s good to see the Citroen’s lane keep assist performed well in testing, however, and that it achieved good occupant protection scores.”
The Mercedes-Benz B-Class and Mercedes-Benz CLA both received 96 per cent for adult occupant protection and 92 per cent for child occupant protection. The CLA also received a high pedestrian and cyclist protection score of 91 per cent, while the B-Class was awarded 78 per cent.
The Peugeot 508’s top score was for adult occupant protection and lowest was for pedestrian and cyclist protection, with 71 per cent.
“All three vehicles are good options for motorists,” adds Stocks.
The full list of ANCAP’s vehicle safety ratings, other vehicle safety information and the specifications of the rated vehicles are available online here.
