ANCAP publishes first 2023 test result, Lexus RZ earns five stars

The first new vehicle tested under ANCAP’s latest 2023 safety standard has been announced.

Safety organisation ANCAP has announced a five-star rating for the Lexus RZ electric vehicle, based on testing conducted by Euro NCAP.

It is the first vehicle sold in Australia – with a rating published by ANCAP – to be tested under more stringent 2023-2025 criteria.

Euro NCAP tested two Chinese vehicles under the updated 2023 protocol in July, the Nio EL7 and Nio ET5. Both scored five stars, but are not available in Australia.

The updated criteria includes additional testing for detecting and avoiding motorcyclist collisions, reverse pedestrian detection, cyclist junction detection and ‘dooring’ prevention, and new head-on and cross-junction scenarios for the car-to-car AEB test.

The minimum score to receive five stars in the vulnerable road user section has increased from 60 to 70 per cent.

ANCAP has also introduced a tougher driver fatigue monitoring protocol and new child detection system testing for visual or audible alerts.

3

Floodwater assessment is also new, with a vehicle needing to demonstrate its battery can continue to power electric windows for at least 10 minutes post-submergence.

The Lexus RZ scored 87 per cent for adult occupant protection, 89 per cent for child occupation protection, 84 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 84 per cent for safety assist.

“Against the new 2023 criteria, the Lexus RZ satisfied the cyclist anti-dooring requirements, demonstrating its ability to warn occupants of an approaching cyclist when exiting both the front and rear doors, and to prevent door opening if needed. Vehicle submergence requirements for door and window opening were also met,” said ANCAP.

3

“The RZ also demonstrated Good performance in each of the new lane support and autonomous emergency braking scenarios including those with the stationary and braking motorcycle and in intersection turning scenarios involving an oncoming motorcycle.”

In crash testing, ANCAP said the front structure “presented a moderate risk to occupants in an oncoming vehicle” with a 2.39-point vehicle-to-vehicle compatibility penalty applied.

Chest protection for the rear passenger was ‘weak’ in the full-width frontal test while driver’s neck protection was ‘marginal’ in side-impact collisions. All other occupant tests were listed as ‘good’ or ‘adequate’.

The Lexus RZ has 10 airbags: dual frontal, side chest, side head, curtain, and driver’s knee and front-centre.

The 2023 Lexus RZ is available in Australia in two grades: Luxury and Sports Luxury, priced from $123,000 and $135,000, respectively.