Mercedes-Benz EQC 2020 tops table for child occupant protection

Mercedes-Benz’s first mass-market all-electric model, the EQC SUV, has aced the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) crash testing with a maximum five-star rating.

Of note, the Benz scored 92 per cent in the child occupant protection test, equal first with the B-Class hatchback, CLA sedan and GLE SUV stablemates according to ANCAP records.

Only dropping points for ‘marginal’ protection of the neck for the 10-year-old dummy in the dynamic front test and lacking some on-board safety features, the EQC notched 45.11 points of a possible 49 in the child occupant test.

In the adult occupant protection test, the EQC scored 96 per cent due to ‘marginal’ protection of the rear passenger chest area in the full-width front crash test at 50km/h.

The EQC scored 92 per cent in the child occupant protection test.

A score of 75 per cent was awarded in vulnerable road user testing, with ANCAP saying the edge of the bonnet only offers ‘poor’ protection to pedestrian hips.

In the final safety assist test, the Benz was awarded a 76 per cent result due to the fitment of autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, seat belt reminders, adaptive cruise control, automatic headlights, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

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ANCAP notes that the lane support systems scored ‘adequate’ and ‘marginal’ results.

ANCAP boss James Goodwin said: “It is encouraging to see Mercedes’ high levels of safety carry across with their first EV market entrant.

“The EQC scored well for its protection of children with close to full points scored for its ability to physically protect child occupants as well as its ability to safely accommodate a range of child restraints in the second row,” he said.