ANCAP confirms European counterpart’s scores for Skoda and Benz, ANCAP says hybrid Kia as good as fully ICE versions.

OPTIMAL crash test ratings out of Europe for the latest Skoda Superb and Mercedes E-Class have been ratified by our national auditor.

In confirming the models’ five star ratings also hold for here, Australasian New Car Assessment Programme has also meted the same result for a hybrid version of Kia’s Carnival people mover.

All three vehicles are well established in New Zealand - particularly the Mercedes, which has availed since the start of 2004 and is the holder of the latest New Zealand Car of the Year.

Our neighbour has only just released Superb and takes it in sedan and wagon form; but only the latter, which released here in February, comes to NZ - the biggest customer being, of course, NZ Police.

ANCAP says its ratings base on those Euro NCAP provisioned for a sister model now discontinued here, the VW Passat.

Unblemished scores were awarded for protection of key body regions in the frontal offset head-on crash test, the side impact test, and the oblique pole test. These full-mark scores contributed to a close-to-record high Adult Occupant Protection score of 93 percent.

Performance testing of the autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system fitted to the Skoda Superb showed high levels of performance, mitigating or preventing crashes with another vehicle, cyclist, motorcyclist and pedestrian in the majority of test scenarios.

“The Skoda Superb delivers a robust safety package, reflecting a carefully considered approach to each aspect of its design and equipment,” said ANCAP chief executive officer, Carla Hoorweg.

“The Superb provides a confident choice for families or fleets seeking a sedan or wagon that prioritises safety.”

In respect to E-Class, the score runs to E200 and E300 which ANCAP says offers expected high levels of protection to occupants.

Standout areas of performance for the E-Class included driver protection in the T-bone side impact crash test and the oblique pole test. Full points were also scored for the driver in the full-width frontal test.

“As expected, the E-Class carries through its safety pedigree, offering five-star safety in a premium package,” said Hoorweg.

Collision-avoidance-wise, the E-Class is equipped with robust-performing systems that can detect a range of road users.

While good overall scores were seen for its ability to prevent a crash with a pedestrian through auto-braking, the protection offered to the pelvis of a pedestrian, if struck, was notably low – scoring 0.74 out of a potential 4.50 points.

In respect to the Kia, ANCAP noted the preceding diesel and full petrol editions achieved five stars when tested in 2021.

The battery-assisted sibling required additional testing, but confirmed comparable safety performance to 2021 test criteria, which has since strengthened.

Differences in the powertrain and mass of the hybrid required fresh frontal offset and oblique pole crash tests to be undertaken.

Hoorweg said these additional tests are needed to substantiate ‘worst-case’ crash performance and examine whether any electrical safety concerns arise as a result of crash impact.

The Kia Carnival HEV shares the same passive and active safety features as its internal combustion counterparts.

“This five-star ANCAP safety rating for the Kia Carnival HEV is a positive result for consumers and fleet buyers looking to balance safety and environmental criteria.”