Mercedes-Benz X-Class headlines latest five-star ANCAP ratings

Independent crash-testing ANCAP has released its latest set of safety ratings this week, with the BMW X2, Jaguar E-Pace, Mercedes-Benz X-Class and Volkswagen Polo all receiving five-star safety ratings.

Headlining ANCAP's release is the X-Class's standard inclusion of autonomous emergency braking – a first for the ute segment in Australia. Meanwhile, the littlest Volkswagen offered in Australia scored an impressive 96 per cent for adult occupant protection.

"The light commercial vehicle segment has generally lagged passenger cars and SUVs with regard to safety specification, so the inclusion of AEB as standard across the X-Class range is to be commended,”said James Goodwin, ANCAP CEO.

“This is a game-changer for the ute market and puts pressure on competing brands.”

Mercedes-Benz's new ute managed 90 per cent for adult occupant protection and 87 per cent for child protection. The Jaguar E-Pace scored 86 per cent and 87 per cent respectively in those categories.

BMW's new X2 also hits the market with a five-star safety rating, though its results are based off the related X1 – which means the datestamp is 2015.

All variants of the E-Pace, Polo, X2 and X-Class wear five-star safety ratings, and all are based on tests carried out by sister company Euro NCAP.

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