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Polo Gets Top Score


Polo Gets Top Score

Author: NRMA MediaDate: 27 April 2010

The new VW Polo has scored the top ranking 5-star ANCAP rating while the upgraded budget-priced Great Wall Motors X240 SUV has scored a 4-star rating in the latest round of ANCAP results released by the NSW Centre for Road Safety and NRMA Motoring & Services.

NSW Centre for Road Safety Director Dr Soames Job said the VW Polo has done well to get the 5-star rating and puts the VW Polo at the top of the class by joining a select number of vehicles to be given the top score.

Australia's newest hybrid, the Toyota Camry Hybrid, only scored a 4-star safety rating.

Dr Job said while it was encouraging to see an improvement in the X240, the 4-star result for Camry was the same result as the Camry tested by ANCAP in 2007.

"The Camry Hybrid's stablemate, the Aurion, received a 5-star rating last year and there was an expectation that this innovative vehicle would do as well," Dr Job said.

"By contrast, the Great Wall Motors utilities that we tested last September performed poorly and only rated 2-stars, so this new X240 SUV is a significant improvement."

The ANCAP tests showed the structure and restraint systems in the X240 clearly performed much better than the V240 utility tested last September. Improvements were made so the X240 could be competitive with similar vehicles who were now achieving a 5-star rating.

NRMA safety expert Jack Haley said the Camry Hybrid could have had a 5-star rating however ANCAP tests showed the driver's knees were vulnerable to injury from the steering column.

The Camry Hybrid didn't have a passenger seat belt reminder that is now standard in all Commodores and Falcons," Mr Haley said.

"Around one fifth of all road deaths involve occupants not wearing seat belts so a seat belt reminder is a very important safety feature."

"Some fleet buyers are insisting on 5-star ANCAP safety ratings, so it is unfortunate that the new Camry Hybrid will miss the cut."

For a full list of vehicle safety ratings, including more commercial vehicles, and other vehicle safety information, visit www.rta.nsw.gov.au or www.mynrma.com.au/ancap.

ANCAP is supported by all Australian and New Zealand motoring clubs, all Australian state governments, the New Zealand government, the Victorian Transport Accident Commission, NRMA Insurance and the FIA Foundation.

NRMA Motoring, April 2010.

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