ANCAP announced the "disappointing" three-star results yesterday for the Toyota Landcruiser 70 Series and the Nissan Patrol. RAA Technical and Automotive head Mark Borlace says both vehicles only had a lap-seatbelt in the centre front seat and no air bag.
"These vehicles are often driven on rural roads, where crashes as severe as the ANCAP offset crash test are not unusual - the occupants deserve better protection," he says.
DTEI's Director Road Safety, Martin Small says the three-star rating for the two utes is not a good result.
"They both provided very disappointing protection for occupants and poor protection for pedestrians struck by the front of the vehicle," he said.
"Owners and drivers of commercial vehicles need to consider safety in the event of a crash, ANCAP has concerns about the safety ratings for these two utes," he says.
Small says the vehicles offered minimal safety features and the passenger compartment lost structural integrity in both crash tests.