Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Mazda 6, Lexus ES score five-star ANCAP ratings

ANCAP has released its latest round of safety ratings, with the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Mazda 6 and Lexus ES all achieving five stars based on tests carried out by sister firm, Euro NCAP.

The A-Class managed a high score of 96 per cent for adult occupant protection, while the Mazda and Lexus scored 95 per cent and 91 per cent in the same category respectively.

James Goodwin, CEO for ANCAP, praised the Mercedes-Benz's performance, along with its high levels of standard safety features.

"The new A-Class offers excellent all-round safety performance,” he said.

“It has achieved the highest Vulnerable Road User Protection rating to date with a score of 92 per cent, and has equalled the highest Child Occupant Protection rating scoring 91 per cent.”

“Side chest-protecting airbags also extend to the rear seats as a standard feature on Australasian models, where it is offered as an option to European consumers,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Mazda 6 also impressed with high levels of protection for adult and child occupants, though was penalised for 'submarining' in the full width test.

“The Mazda 6 performed well for its protection of adult and child occupants however some concerns were noted for smaller occupants seated in the rear, where the pelvis of the dummy slipped beneath the lap section of the seatbelt in the full width test – known as submarining – and a penalty was applied," Goodwin said.

Finally, the Lexus ES was praised for its strong-performing autonomous emergency braking system.

"The autonomous emergency braking capability of the Lexus ES300h was its standout feature with full points scored for its ability to detect and avoid pedestrians in all test scenarios at day and night. Strong performance was also recorded for its cyclist-detection capability," Goodwin said.

However, the Lexus was also penalised for submarining of the rear occupant in the full width frontal crash test.

ANCAP's five-star ratings apply to all versions of the A-Class, Mazda 6 and ES300h from August/September onwards.

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