Mazda’s top-selling CX-5 medium SUV, Honda’s British-built Civic Hatchback and the BMW 320d have all garnered the maximum five-star safety rating following the latest round of local barrier testing by ANCAP.
And the Indian-sourced Mahindra XUV500 SUV with side curtain airbags and electronic stability control both standard has been awarded 4 stars – a result ANCAP described as ‘credible’.
While it was no surprise the Mazda CX-5 captured the maximum 5-Star ranking, ANCAP took a shot at Mazda for its Safety Assist Technologies (SAT) - which includes blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warning – only being available as extra-cost options on the range-topping Grand Touring model.
Mahindra XUV500 2012 being tested
Of course from a marketing viewpoint, including SAT as an extra-cost option allows Mazda to sell the CX-5 at its $27,800 starting price, bringing that 5-Star ANCAP safety rating to a wider cross-section of consumers.
