Previously Jeeps had scored no higher than four stars from the local crash testing program. With ANCAP-rated safety counting for more in the consumer's purchasing decision this has been an important achievement for the off-road brand, as ANCAP Chairman Lauchlan McIntosh explained in a press release issued by the safety testing body today.
"Jeep is a mainstream brand that has been around for many years but has lagged its competitors in terms of safety. Having a 5 star model now available to consumers is a commendable achievement by Jeep."
"The ANCAP rating is a direct result of the focused efforts of the Jeep engineering team in North America," said Veronica Johns, Fiat-Chrysler Australia President and CEO.
"The five-star rating by ANCAP provides real assurance to potential buyers that the all-new Jeep Cherokee is equipped with a comprehensive list of driver assistance and safety technologies."
The Cherokee, which goes on sale here next month, was one of four cars that achieved five stars in the latest round of testing; the others being the Skoda Rapid, Honda Odyssey and Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid. As the pictures reveal, the Odyssey was physically tested by ANCAP, but the Cherokee's crash test data was supplied to ANCAP by Euro NCAP, for the local organisation to establish a rating consonant with its own test criteria.
Like the Cherokee, the Odyssey has arrived in Australia to a luke-warm reception, due to its polarising style. For many buyers, however, the new Honda's improved crash safety will get them across the line.
"The Odyssey's safety credentials are impeccable," said Honda Australia Director, Stephen Collins.
"It features, as standard, a multi-view rear camera, Hill Start Assist, Daytime Running Lights, VSA, six airbags including full length curtain for the third row, Tyre Deflation Warning System and Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure. The VTi-L gains Blind Spot Information, Cross Traffic Monitor and Smart Park Assist functions."
"The all-new Odyssey has been a huge hit with our customers and is currently number one in its segment amongst private buyers, representing an average of 45 per cent market share for February through to April, 2014. We are confident this sales success will continue, as the Honda Odyssey offers the perfect balance between passenger car handling and the cargo carrying capacity for either seven or eight seats."
ANCAP noted that not one of the cars tested came as standard with primary safety features that would prevent a crash in the first place – or at least reduce the severity of the impact.
These include autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure systems and reversing collision avoidance.
"While each of the cars for which we've released ratings today have achieved excellent results and provide a very high level of safety for occupants – and, in the case of the Cherokee, Odyssey and Pathfinder, have increased their ratings from previous models – there now needs to be a shift in focus," McIntosh said.
"The future of vehicle safety lies with active safety features – safety assist technologies which can prevent a crash from occurring. Many of these technologies are now widely available in Europe and are working to reduce the number and severity of crashes. Their availability in Australasia is however being restricted by manufacturers, many of which are still only offering them to those who are prepared to pay for them as an extra."
Autonomous (Emergency) Braking is a particular safety feature ANCAP would like to see offered as standard equipment, rather than as an option. Clearly the safety authority reckons that if the car company has done the hard yards engineering the car for AEB, then the only thing standing in the way of offering the feature as standard across the range is the marketing challenge of pricing the entry-level model at the right position.
In the past car companies were criticised for offering stability control as part of a safety option pack, rather than as standard. That situation was resolved by the Victorian government's unilateral decision to mandate stability control for all new passenger vehicles. ANCAP is calling on new-car buyers to insist on AEB as part of the negotiating process.
"The more consumer demand there is, the more likely manufacturers will be to introduce these technologies as standard much sooner."