ANCAP Awards 5-Star Safety Ratings To Isuzu MU-X, Toyota Yaris Cross

The Isuzu MU-X and Toyota Yaris Cross have been awarded maximum five-star safety ratings by independent vehicle safety authority ANCAP Safety.

ANCAP said the safety performance of the seven-seat MU-X follows closely on the heels of its partner model, the D-MAX, with both Isuzu models carrying a five-star safety rating having scored well across all four key areas of assessment.

Due to the similarities between the two models, many of the test results obtained through testing of the D-MAX last year were carried across to the MU-X, with supplementary testing conducted where the MU-X’s design and safety performance was likely to differ.

ANCAP said the MU-X was subject to a fresh frontal offset (MPDB) test which revealed a slightly better score of 87 per cent for adult occupant protection when compared to the D-MAX (83 per cent), with improved protection offered to the chest and upper legs of the driver and chest and lower legs of the front passenger. The protection offered to occupants in the second row was poorer than the D-MAX’s perfect score in this test, however it remained well within the five-star threshold.

According to ANCAP, the MU-X is equipped with a full suite of airbags, including a centre airbag to prevent severe occupant-to-occupant and occupant-to-vehicle contact in far-side impact crashes. A driver knee airbag and curtain airbags extending into the third seating row are also standard on all MU-X variants. The model also has a driver monitoring system and intelligent seat belt reminders for all seating positions.

“The MU-X takes advantage of the safety features already demonstrated in the D-MAX, and it’s pleasing to see this strong performance carried over into the large SUV segment,” said Carla Hoorweg, Chief Executive Officer of ANCAP Safety.

“Safety is a must for those in the market for a seven-seat family vehicle, and the MU-X provides a safe choice for active families.”

Isuzu MU-X.

Similarly, ANCAP said the safety performance of the Toyota Yaris Cross follows that of the Yaris hatch in offering a “balanced level of active and passive safety” to buyers in the small SUV segment.

“The Yaris Cross achieved maximum points for its protection of adult occupants in the side impact, oblique pole and whiplash tests. Occupant-to-occupant protection was also good, with the Yaris Cross fitted as standard with dual centre airbags between the front seats to minimise potential head injury in side impact crashes,” Hoorweg said.

According to ANCAP, the protection provided by the Yaris Cross to pedestrians, if struck, was good. Its ability to actively avoid collisions with pedestrians through its autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system also scored well in forward-travel test scenarios, however the standard AEB system does not activate in reverse and a nil score for AEB Backover was applied.

ANCAP said the AEB system fitted to the Isuzu MU-X is also incapable of detecting and reacting to pedestrians in reverse, with a nil score for AEB Backover also applied.

“Both the Isuzu MU-X and Toyota Yaris Cross are very well equipped in the areas of physical crash protection and active collision avoidance, making them safe choices within their respective segments,” Hoorweg said.