Safety

A budget small SUV's active and passive safety performance has been put under the microscope by Australia's independent crash testing authority, ANCAP, ultimately receiving a one-star safety rating.

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An all-new MG has received top safety marks.  The MG 7 mid-size liftback picked up a five-star ANCAP safety rating ahead of its Australia launch.  It joins the market as a potential rival to the popular Toyota Camry, gearing up to hit Aussie roads early next year, starting from $44,990 (before on-road costs).  The car received 88 per cent for adult protection and 85 per cent for child protection as per ANCAP testing. ANCAP noted the MG 7’s comprehensive active safety technologies, such as autonomous emergency braking.  In the frontal offset test, good protection was offered for most critical body regions for the driver, apart from the chest and lower legs where it was adequate.  It was stated that the front structure of the car presented a moderate risk to occupants of oncoming vehicles, with a penalty applied to its score.  According to the full width frontal test, there was good protection for all critical body areas for the driver, with rear passenger chest protection marginal and good elsewhere.  In more MG safety news, one of its most popular models has received a safety boost, with its ZS small SUV, shifting from a four-star rating to a five-star.  The rating increase for the ZS is due to the addition of a centre airbag, and has pushed adult protection up to 81 per cent.  Elsewhere the SUV scored maximum points in the side impact test, with adequate protection for the driver in the oblique pole test and good protection in all other body areas.  For child protection, the car scored 84 per cent, but there was poor protection for the 10-year-old dummy’s chest.  ANCAP also revealed the GWM Haval H7 mid-size SUV has been awarded a five-star rating. It launched earlier this year as a hybrid rival to the best-selling Toyota RAV4 and has managed 379 sales up to December. The Haval H7 received 89 per cent and 91 per cent for adult and child protection, respectively.  In frontal offset testing, adequate protection was offered for the driver chest and lower legs, with good protection elsewhere, including for the front passenger.  GWM has issued a voluntary recall over the dislodgement of the driver’s head restraint from the seat back, following what is being described as an anomaly during the full width frontal test.

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