RZ sets safety benchmark

Lexus NZ’s first dedicated battery electric model, the RZ, is the first vehicle to score a maximum five stars against updated ANCAP protocols.

It earned impressive scores in key safety categories, surpassing the required thresholds for a five-star rating.

They included adult-occupant protection at 87 per cent and child-occupant protection at 89 per cent when the threshold for both is 80 per cent.

The RZ’s scores for vulnerable road-user protection and safety assist were both 84 per cent. These have 70 per cent thresholds.

ANCAP’s 2023-25 testing criteria has undergone a significant overhaul by expanding the scope of safety aspects and test scenarios assessed, and increasing test-score benchmarks. 

Key changes include testing a vehicle’s capacity for collision avoidance with motorcycles, improved child and pedestrian protection, heightened attention to vehicle-to-vehicle crash compatibility, evaluating anti-dooring safeguards to improve cyclist safety, and driver-monitoring systems that include eye-movement analysis for distraction, fatigue and responsiveness. 

Andrew Davis, Lexus NZ’s vice-president, says: “These impressive results show just how committed Lexus is to adopting new powertrain technologies while remaining relentlessly focused on in-car technology and safety.

“We’re proud to consistently lead the way in delivering vehicles that come equipped with advanced safety features as a standard.” 

Introduced in New Zealand in April 2023, the ANCAP’s top safety rating applies to all variants of the RZ.