New cars achieve top vehicle safety ratings

A Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet is displayed during the Geneva Motor Show 2016. The rating applies to variants built from October 2016 onwards. Photo / Getty

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet and the Mazda CX-5 both achieved a five-star safety rating in the latest round of the Australasia New Car Assessment Programme (Ancap).

The New Zealand Automobile Association (AA) said the growing market of five-star rated cars gives safety conscious buyers plenty of options to choose from.

AA Motoring Services general manger Stella Stocks said while there was a huge range of choice, the challenge for consumers was finding the information. The AA is calling for vehicle safety information to be provided at point of sale.

"Manufacturers have lifted the safety game when it comes to vehicle safety and should be proud to display their ratings at dealerships across the country," she said.

ANCAP's ratings come from the analysis of crash tests and other assessments. Vehicles are given a rating between one and five stars for their performance. It is supported by the AA, NZTA, the Australia Government and the New Zealand Government.

The Kia Picanto was also added to the list with a four-star rating due to lower scores for pedestrian and child occupant protection.

A caveat mentioned by the AA, is that the Mazda CX-5 features blind-spot monitoring on Australian and European models as a standard feature, but not on the base variant in New Zealand.

"It's unclear why the feature was not included as standard in New Zealand, but we would like to see manufacturers offer New Zealand drivers the same degree of crash prevention technologies as standard that Australian and often European drivers receive," Stocks said.