ANCAP: 5 Star Safety For EcoSport, MU-X, Altima, Hilux, S-Cross And More

Seven carmakers have been given an early Christmas present by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) this week, receiving 5-Star safety ratings this week. 

Landing the top score is Ford's new EcoSport crossover, along with the Mercedes-Benz CLA sedan, Nissan's Altima sedan and Pulsar hatch, and the new Suzuki SX4 S-Cross crossover.

Fiat's little Panda hatch has also been given the top 5-Star score, joined by Isuzu's D-Max 4x4 Crew Cab pickup and MU-X 4x4 wagon. 

The good Christmas news follows a haul of three top-scoring models in November: the new Kia Rondo, Mazda6 and Renault Clio. 

Is it becoming too easy to achieve a 5-Star safety rating? A number of carmakers are still lobbing 4-Star models onto the market, but the proportion of top scores is rapidly increasing. 

ANCAP's safety test criteria will become tougher before the decade is out, however.

In 2014, roof-crush strength tests will be introduced along with higher standards for pedestrian safety.

By 2017, ANCAP plans to add seatbelt reminders, emergency brake assist, top-tether anchorages for child restraints and side airbags for rear seats to the compulsory list.

"In the period 2007-2011, there was a 21% reduction in deaths on Australian roads and some of this reduction inevitably will be due to safer cars,” ANCAP CEO Nicholas Clarke said in June.

“If we are to achieve another similarly big reduction in road trauma then it is vital that Australia maintains pace with developments in new safety assist technology.”