As it prepares to roll into Australian showrooms from the first week of next month, the new-generation Volkswagen Amarok ute has been awarded a maximum five-star rating by independent safety assessment body ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program).
Rated against the latest 2020-2022 criteria, the Amarok II’s results were based on a combination of previous testing of the Ford Ranger (with which the Amarok was co-developed) and additional frontal offset and side impact testing of the VW dual-cab ute, specifically.
ANCAP spreads its scoring across four segments – Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection, Vulnerable Road User Protection and Safety Assist, and the Amarok scored well in each.
An 86 per cent score for adult protection was the result of mainly ‘Good’ and ‘Adequate’ rankings across the range of crash tests featuring adult dummies.
The Amarok features standard front and side (chest) airbags as well as knee bags for the driver and front seat passenger, plus full-length side curtains and a front centre airbag to help protect front seat occupants in side impacts.
Child protection was a particular highlight with a 93 per cent overall score. According to ANCAP, “Good levels of protection were observed for both child dummies in the two Child Occupant Protection crash tests, and full points were scored for the protection of children in those tests.”
Pedestrian protection took a slight dip at 74 per cent, although the large ute’s bonnet still recorded ‘Good’ or ‘Adequate’ ratings for “protection to the head of a struck pedestrian over most of its surface”. That said, protection of the pelvis was “mixed” with areas of ‘Good’ and ‘Poor’ performance.
ANCAP noted the Amarok’s “broad range of collision avoidance systems capable of responding to pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles in forward and turning scenarios” and the VW recorded an 83 per cent result in the final Safety Assist category.
ANCAP also called out the fact that “Good scores were awarded for the Amarok’s performance in emergency lane keeping, lane keep assist, car-to-car autonomous emergency braking (AEB) tests, and car-to-cyclist AEB tests. Car-to-pedestrian AEB test scenarios revealed an overall Adequate level of performance.”
In summing up the new VW’s performance ANCAP CEO, Carla Hoorweg said, “The dual cab ute segment is always very competitive, and this five-star rating now elevates the VW Amarok in line with its contemporary peers.”
Keyword: How safe is the 2023 Volkswagen Amarok? Can the new ute match Ford Ranger twin with five-star ANCAP safety rating?