The 2020 Isuzu D-Max is One Tough MF

The all-new 2020 Isuzu D-Max is one tough pickup truck; that much has been confirmed as it scored an impeccable 5 out of 5 stars at the ASEAN New Car Assessment Program or NCAP crash safety tests.

The latest result builds up on the D-Max’s stellar performance at the ASEAN NCAP. In 2014, Isuzu’s pickup truck scored a 4-star safety rating.

The 2020 D-Max is the first pickup truck is tested under the revised (and stricter) 2017-2020 ASEAN NCAP protocols. ASEAN NCAP notes that it has “enhancements n both passive and active safety technologies.”

Equipped with dual SRS airbags, ABS, and seat belt minder across all variants (at least in the Thai domestic market trim which was tested), the 2020 D-Max scored 83.16 points out of a possible 100—nabbing a 5-star safety rating. The score is based on 42.72 points out of 50 in Adult Occupant Protection, 21.83 points out of 25 points in Child Occupant Protection, and 18.61 points out of 25 points in Safety Assist Technologies.

The all-new 2020 D-Max is built on a brand-new platform—the Isuzu Dynamic Drive Platform. It uses ultra-high strength steel for the first time, while use of high-strength steel is up from 30 to 46 percent. Aside from dual SRS airbags, ABS, and seat belt minder, selected variants of Isuzu’s pickup truck can be equipped with stability control as well as blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

Global NCAP Calls on Car Makers Not to Make Safety Shortcuts (w/ Video)

The Global New Car Assessment Program or Global NCAP is highlighting the double standards by which car manufacturers operate depending on region requirement, particularly in the area of safety.

In the first test of its kind, the Global NCAP crash-tested a 2019 Nissan NP300 Hardbody (basically the D22 series still being sold as new in Africa) against a second-hand Nissan Navara NP300 (D23) manufactured in Europe in 2015.

The difference in safety performance between the new African model and the second-hand European version is a matter of life and death. It proves that going brand-new isn’t necessarily safe.

The crash test driver dummy in the new African Nissan would have likely sustained fatal injuries, the driver of the equivalent second-hand European model would have likely walked away from the crash. The second-hand European car is fitted with the life-saving crash avoidance anti-skid system, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), the new African version is not.

The demonstration coincides with the Global NCAP’s call to action to half road deaths and serious injuries by 2023 worldwide.

Unfortunately, not all automakers are heeding this call.

Maruti Suzuki has announced that they will no longer submit their vehicles for evaluation by the Global NCAP.

Citing the Global NCAP test as being optional, Suzuki’s joint-venture in India (also the Philippines’s source of vehicles such as the Alto and the upcoming S-presso mini SUV) says that they will instead focus on meeting Indian government regulations such as the Bharat New Vehicle Safety Assessment Program (BNVSAP).

That said, the BNVSAP requirements are more rudimentary than their Global counterpart. Under the BNVSAP, vehicles sold in India require just a driver’s airbag, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, and front seat belt minders as standard equipment. Furthermore, while Global NCAP tests their cars at an average speed of 64 km/h, the Indian test sets it at a lower 56 km/h.

2020 Toyota Corolla Altis Scores Perfect 5-Star Rating in ASEAN NCAP

The 2020 Toyota Corolla Altis scored a perfect 5-star safety rating bestowed by the ASEAN New Car Assessment Program or NCAP.

Toyota’s compact sedan scored an 88.46 out of 100, giving it a perfect score. Broken down, the Corolla Altis scored 46.82 out of 50 in Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), 22.35 out of 25 in Child Occupant Protection (COP), and 19.29 out of 25 percent in Safety Assist Technology.

The model tested is equipped with seven airbags, seatbelt reminder for front occupants, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, and Autonomous Emergency Braking or AEB which is part of the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) driver assist suite.

Subaru Forester is Safest Small SUV Tested in 2019

The Subaru Forester has made it to the list of the safest cars made for the year according to the European New Car Assessment Program or Euro NCAP. It was named the “Best in the Class Cars of 2019” in the Small Off-Road / MPV category.

This award is given to the best performing model of each class in the Euro NCAP safety performance test and marks the second time that Subaru has received this recognition—the Subaru XV and Impreza were awarded “Best in Class of 2017” in the Small Family Car category.

The Forester achieved the maximum five-star overall rating with outstanding scores in all four assessment areas (Adult Occupant, Child Occupant, Vulnerable Road Users, Safety Assist) and achieved the highest score ever in its class for “Child Occupant Protection” in the Euro NCAP 2019 assessment protocol.

Euro NCAP commented in the official crash test report:

“In both the frontal and side barrier tests, protection of all critical body areas was good for both dummies and the Forester scored maximum points in this part of the assessment. The front passenger airbag is automatically disabled when a rearward-facing child restraint is put in that seating position. Tests showed that the system worked robustly and the system was rewarded. All of the restraint types for which the Forester is designed could be properly installed and accommodated in the car.”

In addition to Child Occupant Protection, the Forester also performed the best score ever for Subaru in the Adult Occupant Protection.

Its superior crash safety performance has been achieved thanks to the Subaru Global Platform, a cutting-edge re-design of the body and chassis that has increased body strength by 40 percent compared to the outgoing Forester and allows the frame structure to absorb more energy in the event of a collision.

The Forester is now safer than ever and comes with a suite of driver-assist and safety features as standard: EyeSight driver assist technology (providing Pre-Collision Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, and other functions).

The other Best in Class Cars of 2019 are:

• Large Family Car: Tesla Model 3
• Large Family Car: BMW 3 Series
• Large Off-Road: Tesla Model X
• Small Family Car: Mercedes-Benz CLA
• Small Off-Road / MPV: Subaru Forester
• Supermini: Renault Clio
• Supermini: Audi A1
• Hybrid and Electric: Tesla Model 3

Two MG Models Score a 5-Star Euro NCAP Safety Rating

MG Motor has made an impressive feat in Europe as two of its vehicles were awarded with the highest possible safety rating by the European New Car Assessment Program or Euro NCAP.

The two vehicles to achieve the 5-star safety rating are the MG ZS EV—the all-electric version of the sub-compact MG ZS crossover, and the MG HS, the brand’s compact crossover and a platform-mate to the local RX5.

The current Euro NCAP tests are the most stringent ever, making MG’s achievement even more significant.

It’s worth noting too that the European MG ZS closely mirrors the spec of the top-line Philippine spec MG ZS Alpha model in that it contains 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, and stability control as standard; these alone would merit a 3-star rating.

However, for 2019, MG opted to add MG Pilot—a suite of driver aids that include Active Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Keep Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Control—key factors for the ZS’s 5-star rating.

Have Kids? The 2019 Subaru Forester Offers the Best Protection Available in Its Class

The 2019 Subaru Forester scored a maximum five-star safety rating at its European New Car Assessment Program or NCAP test. Tested with the e-BOXER powertrain, the compact SUV’s high scores reconfirm the performance of the Subaru Global Platform which is designed to exceed all global safety tests up until 2025.

While the all-new Forester registered outstanding scores in all four assessment areas—Adult Occupant (97 percent), Child Occupant (91 percent), Vulnerable Road Users (80 percent), and Safety Assist (78 percent)—the Euro NCAP did note that it excelled in one thing: the Child Occupant Protection test. In fact, Euro NCAP says that the Forester scored the highest score ever in its class.

In their official report, the Euro NCAP noted:

“In both the frontal and side barrier tests, protection of all critical body areas was good for both dummies and the Forester scored maximum points in this part of the assessment. The front passenger airbag is automatically disabled when a rearward-facing child restraint is put in that seating position. Tests showed that the system worked robustly and the system was rewarded. All of the restraint types for which the Forester is designed could be properly installed and accommodated in the car.” 

In addition to Child Occupant Protection, the Forester also performed the best score ever for Subaru in the Adult Occupant Protection test.

This superior crash safety performance have been achieved thanks to the Subaru Global Platform (SGP). The SGP brings significant enhancement to the body and chassis rigidity (front lateral flexural rigidity +90 percent, torsional rigidity +70 percent, front suspension rigidity +70 percent, rear sub frame rigidity +100 percent) and impact energy absorption is improved by 40 percent over outgoing models. Together with this solid body structure, safety features such as 7 airbags, including one SRS knee airbag installed for the driver’s seat ensure collision safety performance of the Forester.

To make the all-new Forester safer than ever, new advanced safety technologies have also been employed. It is available with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology (providing Autonomous Emergency Braking, lateral support functions and other functions).

With the Accord's 5-Star ASEAN NCAP Rating, Honda Makes the Safest Cars Around

The 2020 Accord is the latest Honda model to receive a perfect 5-star rating in a crash test conducted by the ASEAN NCAP.

The all-new Honda Accord achieved a 5-star rating with an overall score of 91.79 out of 100, after an evaluation of its frontal offset impact test, side impact test, and safety features. The new model received impressive scores of 49.07 out of 50 for Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), 23.28 out of 25 for Child Occupant Protection (COP), and 19.44 out of 25 for Safety Assist Technologies (SATs).

This latest result emphasizes Honda’s commitment to ensure a high level of safety for its vehicles—a part of its future vision of a collision-free mobile society. After this latest round of tests, almost the entire current Honda line-up now has a perfect 5-star safety rating, with the previous Brio (the new Brio has yet to be tested) and Brio Amaze the only ones with a 4-star safety rating.

• Accord – 5 Stars
• CR-V – 5 Stars 
• Civic – 5 Stars
• Brio – 4 Stars (previous model)
• Brio Amaze – 4 Stars
• BR-V – 5 Stars
• HR-V – 5 Stars
• Jazz – 5 Stars
• City – 5 Stars

Global NCAP Pushes to Make Anti-lock Brakes Standard on Motorcycles

The Global NCAP is telling vehicle manufacturers to employ more standard driver assist technologies which could help in reducing the risk of road crashes. This was done at their latest “#StopTheCrash” initiative which is done in support of the United Nations Global Goals and Decade of Action for Road Safety.

Home to the one of the largest, if not the largest, population of motorcycles (vis-à-vis GDP) worldwide, the Global NCAP is focused on curbing motorcycle-related crashes. With that in mind, the organization is hoping that more motorcycle makers would adopt Anti-lock Braking Systems or ABS as standard equipment.

Meanwhile, for four-wheeled vehicles, the Global NCAP is hoping that carmakers put Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), and Blind Spot Detection (BSD) as standard. Blind Spot Detection, in particular, has proven itself to protect drivers, riders, and other vulnerable road users.

“We put special focus on technologies that help protect motorcycle riders, systems like Blind Spot warnings for drivers and ABS for riders. These are especially important safety systems throughout the ASEAN region, where motorcycle and moped riders are disproportionately represented in road traffic crashes,” said David Ward, President of Global NCAP and Chairman of the Stop The Crash Partnership.

Previously, The Stop The Crash initiative pushed the Malaysian government to fit Electronic Stability Control as standard on all vehicles sold there since June 2018.

Mazda CX-30 Bags Near-Perfect Score in Euro NCAP for Adult Protection

Mazda’s upcoming new crossover, the CX-30 can now add world-class safety to its list of accolades. This comes as the Euro NCAP revealed their latest round of crash safety test results. In it, the CX-30 “tops the list” for vehicles tested using the stringent Euro NCAP 2018/2019 protocols.

The sub-compact crossover, slotting between the CX-3 and CX-5, achieved a near-perfect 99 percent score in Adult Occupant Protection (AOP). This means the CX-30 outscores the Honda CR-V (93 percent), Subaru XV (94 percent), and Volvo XC40 (97 percent).

Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General of Euro NCAP, “Congratulations to Mazda for another almost-perfect score in adult occupant safety. There are still several cars to be rated in 2019 but it is unlikely we will see better for this part of the assessment.”

Its near-perfect AOP score means the CX-30 bagged a 5-star Euro NCAP rating. It scored 86 percent in Child Occupant Protection (by comparison, the Subaru XV has an 89 percent score), 80 percent in Vulnerable Road Users / Pedestrian Protection (82 percent for the Subaru XV), and 77 percent in Safety Assist Technology (68 percent for the Subaru XV).

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 is expected to launch by the end of the month in the Philippines.

Suzuki Ertiga Scores 3 out 5 in Global NCAP Test

Suzuki’s 7-seater MPV, the Ertiga scored a passing 3 out of 5 stars for crash safety at the latest Global New Car Assessment or NCAP tests.

The model tested, a right-hand drive vehicle built for the Indian market and fitted with dual SRS airbags and anti-lock brakes scored 9.25 out 17 in adult protection, and 25.16 out of 49 in child occupant protection. Global NCAP said that head and neck protection for adult occupants was good. Chest protection for passenger was good, and driver chest received marginal protection.

That said, the passenger pretensioner failed to work properly, and the child occupant protection showed poor results (poor protection for head and chest) for the 18-month old dummy with the CRS (Child Restraint System) installed forward facing, while global best practice indicates a rearward facing position offers better protection for this age group. Global NCAP also noted that the Ertiga tested doesn’t offer three-point belts for all occupants.

Most concerning of all though, Global NCAP said that the Ertiga’s body structure, the HEARTECT platform is noted for its “borderline unstable performance which can and should be improved.” Because of this, the Ertiga’s footwell area was rated as unstable and pedals displacement showed risks to the lower legs of the driver.