The Research Council for Automotive Repairs (RCAR) tested the Holden Cruze in an internationally accredited series of low speed bumper tests designed to simulate a minor collision at 10km per hour.

Holden Cruze recorded the best overall results with the ability of the car’s bumper to absorb minor impacts with the ability to calculate the costs of repair.

Robert McDonald is the head of NRMA Insurance Research Centre and is a long time member of RCAR, said the result of the Cruze’s bumper test was a good example of how bumper design can minimise damage in low speed collisions.

“The Cruze is likely to be driveable and easier to repair after many common low speed
collisions that would result in other vehicles being towed away,” Mr McDonald said.
“Following on from the Cruze’s good performance in the ANCAP safety crash tests, where it
earned a maximum five star rating, this result demonstrates crash safety and bumper
protection don’t have to be mutually exclusive.”

Mr McDonald said the test caused less than $3,000 of damage to the Cruze which is 12.9 per cent of the vehicle’s purchase price, less than a third of the repair cost of the worst car tested.

Holden Vehicle Integration and Performance Manager, Scott Heywood said the Cruze was designed with affordability and safety as the main focus of the global development program.

“While of course we hope our customers are never in an accident, if they are it’s comforting
to know that repairing a Cruze is extremely affordable,” Mr Heywood said.
“This is a great result and one that goes to prove you don’t have to sacrifice safety for great
“The result should also help to reduce the long-term insurance costs for Cruze owners.
“The equation with Cruze is pretty simple – it’s a vehicle with a high level of specification, a
five star safety rating and low operating costs.
“In the case of Cruze you really can have your cake and eat it too.”

Cruze is one of the safest cars in its class with a five star safety rating and a host of active and passive safety systems. Active and passive safety systems that are standard across the Cruze range are Electronic Stability Control; Traction control; Anti-Lock Brakes; Brake Assist; Electronic Brakeforce Distribution; Six airbags including driver, front passenger, front side and curtain airbags; and, Seat belt reminders, retractor and lap pretensioners with seatbelt load limiters.

Holden launched Cruze in June 2009 and sold 2,183 in October making it the sixth best selling passenger car in Australia.