Top safety ratings for Toyota

Launched in SA beginning this year, the Auris maintains Toyota’s reputation for delivering high standards of passive and active safety. It is the first compact/family hatchback to gain Euro NCAP’s five-star rating under the more stringent 2013 testing programme.

As standard, Auris is equipped with ABS with EBD and brake assist, as well as a full complement of airbags, including driver, front passenger and side airbags. Selected models include Vehicle Stability Control, curtain airbags and a driver’s knee airbag as part of the standard package.

In the event of an impact, Auris’ bodyshell has been engineered to absorb and channel energy forces away from the cabin. Around the front end of the car there is also a series of design features that help reduce the risk of injury to pedestrians, while maintaining a low, stylish bonnet line.

The Toyota’s five-star rating was gained with scores of 92% for adult occupant protection, 84% for child occupant protection, 68% for pedestrian protection and 66% for safety assist features.

The new, fourth generation Toyota RAV4, which went on sale locally in April, is the first SUV to gain a five-star rating under Euro NCAP’s programme with its safety performance building on the achievements of its predecessors.

This model has an impact-absorbing, multi-load path body construction that helps safeguard occupants in the event of a collision. It goes beyond the provisions of the previous model with a new seat design that helps reduce the risk of whiplash injury. Across the range ABS with EBD and brake assist as well as Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) is standard. There is also a comprehensive suite of standard passive safety kit with seven airbags.

The car tested was a mid-grade 2.2 D-4D diesel all-wheel drive model (equivalent to an SA-spec 2.2 D-4D GX). It scored 89% for adult occupant protection, 82% for child occupant protection, 66% for pedestrian protection and 66% for safety assist features.