ANCAP’s CEO has stressed the importance of SUV safety in the latest batch of ratings.
Two new SUVs – the Polestar 4 and the new-gen Subaru Forester – received a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, boasting impressive safety records, as the SUV market booms.
SUVs dominate the Australian market.In 2024, 700,000 SUVs were sold, 60 per cent of total sales. Because of this, it’s crucial that popular SUVs that appeal to a range of buyers, have a strong focus on safety, said ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg.
“Some may suggest that safety isn’t important for the smaller end of the [SUV] market, in fact the opposite is true.”
Small SUV, the Hyundai Inster, received a four-star safety rating. The vehicle reportedly performed well in all collision avoidance tests; however, the vehicle’s structure and airbag safety kept it in the four-star tier.
“Smaller vehicles…are at a disadvantage out on the road, having a well-rounded level of safety as well as the ability to avoid a crash is critical.”
The Polestar earned the second-highest Adult Occupant Protection score since ANCAP changed their criteria, in a test that measures the cars response to frontal and lateral impact, as well as whiplash tests. Hoorweg revealed that the recent rating for the Swedish brand means the last 3 polestar cars, “all carry the top level of safety.”
The Forester, a popular car model for families, performed excellently in the Child Occupant Protection tests, which measure front and side impact, and the vehicle’s ability accommodate child restraints.
All three vehicles performed well when their ability to avoid crashes with vulnerable pedestrians was tested.
More details on all models tested are available at ANCAP