28 May 2014
Jeep earns first ANCAP 5-star safety rating
Jeep has joined its competitors at the top of the vehicle safety ranks with its latest Cherokee SUV due for release in
New Zealand next month.
The 2-litre diesel all-wheel drive Jeep Cherokee has been awarded a 5-star safety rating by the Australasian New Car
Assessment Programme (ANCAP) announced today.
The Cherokee is the first Jeep model to receive a 5-star rating by the organisation. In 2012 the Jeep Wrangler (Sport,
two door) and Jeep Compass (4x4 variants) earned 4-star safety ratings along with the Jeep Grand Cherokee in December
2011.
AA Motoring Services General Manager Stella Stocks says Jeep has been part of the New Zealand landscape for a number of
years, but has lagged behind its main competitors in terms of the safety features it offered.
“While Jeep has lifted its game in the safety stakes, it’s really just catching up to its rivals to reach a spot all
mainstream brands should occupy,” Ms Stocks says.
“However, the Cherokee has done a great job of adopting safety assist technologies (SATs) we have come to expect as
standard.”
The Cherokee is fitted with a full suite of airbags and SATs that include roll stability, trailer stability, tyre
pressure monitoring and daytime running lights as standard.
“It would be great to see Jeep take the next step by making some of its optional SATs such as standard autonomous
emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, reversing collision avoidance and lane support
systems available on standard models.
“While these are available as additional options for customers, I’d like all manufacturers to provide these life-saving
SATs to everyone rather than just those who are prepared or able to pay extra.”
Also announced today are 5-star safety ratings for the Skoda Rapid already available and the Nissan Pathfinder hybrid
electric vehicle (HEV) which is expected to be released in New Zealand later this year.
Transport Agency Access and Use General Manager Celia Patrick says the NZTA was working to improve the safety of New
Zealand’s vehicle fleet as part of the Government’s Safer Journeys strategy and it was great news that the range of top safety-rated cars was continuing to grow.
"Crash statistics show that occupants of 5-star rated vehicles are much less likely to receive life-threatening injuries
in a crash than occupants of lower rated vehicles. With today's safety technology 5-star safety ratings are increasingly
become the norm, and we urge people to buy the safest vehicle they can afford.”
ANCAP is supported by all Australian and New Zealand motoring clubs, the Australian Government, the New Zealand
Government, Australian state and territory governments, the Victorian Transport Accident Commission, NRMA Insurance and
the FIA Foundation.
The full list of ANCAP’s vehicle safety ratings, other vehicle safety information and the specifications of the rated
vehicles are available online at aa.co.nz or rightcar.govt.nz.
The New Zealand Automobile Association is an incorporated society with over one million members. It represents the
interests of road users who collectively pay over $2 billion in taxes each year through fuels excise, road user charges
and GST.
ENDS