When you’re in the market for a new car, it’s an exciting and confusing time. We all want the maximum bells and whistles we can get for our budget, but how do we really understand the safety of a vehicle?
Good news, mums, that’s what ANCAP is all about!
The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) is Australia’s leading independent car safety assessor. In short, they’re not owned or influenced by anyone, and they assign every car ANCAP Safety Ratings from 1 to 5. The more stars a car receives, the safer it is for you and your family. Pretty simple and very reassuring, right? To achieve the maximum 5-star safety rating, a vehicle must achieve the highest standards in all tests and feature advanced safety assist technologies (SAT).
ANCAP’s goal is to eliminate road trauma through the testing and promotion of safer vehicles, pretty awesome, right? As mums, we couldn’t think of anything better when it comes to keeping our families safe on the road. And of course, think of the benefits of this information when it comes to buying a new or used car!
Why safety is important
This might seem like a silly statement but ANCAP is the science that says not all cars are created equal. Their exhaustive testing actually proves some really scary stats like this one:
You have twice the chance of being killed or seriously injured in a 3 star ANCAP safety rated car compared to a 5 star ANCAP safety rated car.
This is the kind of information families really need to know when they choose a car. It’s easy to be drawn into a sleek-looking body shape, leather seats, DVD screens or a super-sized sunroof, but is there really anything more important than knowing that if something terrible happened, you’re in the best possible vehicle to protect you all?
What is tested?
There are five different tests undertaken by ANCAP to determine the overall safety rating:
- Frontal Offset test
- Side Impact test
- Pedestrian test
- Pole test
- Whiplash test
And yes, these cars are crashed beyond repair so testers can thoroughly assess these scenarios. Each car is fitted with crash test dummies who have “experienced” hundreds of crashes. Their role is critical, providing a picture of likely injuries in a crash.
These tests are performed with real-life scenarios so it’s not just the driver dummy being monitored.
In the Frontal Offset test car, there are two adult dummies in the front seat, plus an 18-month-old child dummy and a 3-year-old child dummy in the rear seat, both in appropriate child restraints, so it’s a true test of an everyday drive for us mums.
How to find out the safety rating of a car you’re considering
Dealerships are able to display the ANCAP rating of a car. Of course, if a car doesn’t get a good review, it won’t be on display. If you can’t see an ANCAP rating in the dealership, be sure to ask for it. You can also access all the ANCAP data free of charge on the ANCAP website and use their tools to compare cars across categories. This is a great way to research vehicles before you even set foot in a dealership, and leading with safety first is a great way to protect your family from the get-go.
By now it’s safe to say we’ve pretty much put every single one of the Mitsubishi range to the test. We’re also proud to say it’s pretty reassuring to know that each one of the Mitsubishi range has a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
Now that’s safety first at every point!
So, I want bang-for-buck, loads of features and a five-star ANCAP rating. Am I dreaming?
We totally get it, you want it all. Heck, who doesn’t? Well, the good news is when it comes to family cars, the Mitsubishi Outlander ticks all the boxes. This car holds the ANCAP five-star safety rating, which means when it comes to keeping your family protected on the road, there is no better choice. The extra good news is that the Outlander has everything a family could want and much, much more.
From modern, sleek styling with a choice of 5 or 7 seats, the Mitsubishi Outlander boasts loads of cool extras like a reverse camera and sensors, dual climate control, adaptive cruise control, and options like a sunroof, electric tailgate and family entertainment system. It’s the ideal car for your Australian family!
Of course, like all the cars in the Mitsubishi family, a new Outlander comes with the Mitsubishi Diamond Advantage, which offers massive peace of mind including a 5-year/100,000km warranty with capped price servicing and 12 months roadside assistance. So yep mumma, when it comes to safety and features, you can have it all!
Frequently Asked Questions about ANCAP Safety Ratings
Q: What is ANCAP?
A: ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program) is Australia’s independent car safety authority. It rates vehicles from one to five stars based on crash testing and safety technology, with no manufacturer influence over results.
Q: What does ANCAP actually test?
A: Five tests make up the overall rating: frontal offset, side impact, pedestrian protection, pole test, and whiplash test. Crash test dummies representing adults and children are used to simulate real family driving scenarios.
Q: How much safer is a 5-star car than a 3-star car?
A: According to ANCAP, occupants have roughly twice the risk of death or serious injury in a 3-star rated car compared to a 5-star rated car.
Q: Where can I check a car’s ANCAP rating?
A: Ratings are available for free on the ANCAP website, where you can compare vehicles side by side before visiting a dealership.
Q: Does the Mitsubishi Outlander have a 5-star ANCAP rating?
A: Yes, the Mitsubishi Outlander holds a 5-star ANCAP safety rating and comes with the Mitsubishi Diamond Advantage, including a 5-year/100,000km warranty.
For more information on why you’d love a Mitsi for your family, check out the website, they’ll even send you a gorgeous glossy brochure to leave around the house and tempt or hint to your other half! Of course, when it comes to cars, there’s nothing more important than safety, so don’t forget to use the ANCAP website when you’re thinking of a new car.
From us to you, safe driving!
This has been a sponsored post for Mitsubishi Motors Australia. All opinions are of course our own. The source for most information has been the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).
