The Australasian New Car Assessment Program, Australia’s leading vehicle safety advocate, today announced two more vehicles costing less than $30,000 – the Mitsubishi Lancer and the Hyundai i30 – have received a five-star safety rating.

To be perfectly honest, I was surprised that the Hyundai results were so strong, as traditionally they have not been known for their safety performance. This is a fantastic result, and one that should perhaps shame some of the larger manufacturers (remember the Holden Barina result?), into taking some further action in regard to their safety performance.

ANCAP Chair, Lauchlan McIntosh, said the trend towards safer vehicles was now filtering through to the small car market, making safety a genuine option for new car buyers in this price range.

“What we are now seeing is the provision of the latest vehicle safety features in cars below $30,000 – which is great news for consumers,” Mr McIntosh said.

“The Lancer result is a good outcome for Mitsubishi and we congratulate them on the vehicle – it scored well in the three crash tests conducted and it was pleasing to see the high-spec model with side curtain airbags which protect the head,” Mr McIntosh said.

The 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer rated highly for occupant protection following a series of crash tests – a frontal offset, a side offset and a pole test. The model tested was the top-spec model, which includes head-protecting side air bags and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) – both prerequisites for a five-star rating under ANCAP’s rating methodology. The lower spec Lancer scored four stars.

The Hyundai i30, which also includes side curtains and ESC, achieved five stars after a recent modification improved the vehicle’s knee impact area, which ANCAP had raised as an issue. The New Zealand i30 will receive the same upgrade. Similar to the Lancer, the lower spec i30 scores four stars.

For a full list of ANCAP’s vehicle safety ratings and other vehicle safety information, go to www.ancap.com.au

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