Australia’s best-selling car, the Toyota HiLux, has retained its five-star ANCAP safety rating after a fresh round of independent tests against the more stringent 2019 criteria.

 

Interestingly, the HiLux is the first ute to achieve the top score under the new testing protocols, its former rating dates back to 2015 when the current generation was launched.

 

Toyota recently announced a safety upgrade that added autonomous emergency braking (AEB) as standard on all HiLux variants. The AEB also includes day and night pedestrian detection and day cyclist detection.

 

The HiLux also gets high-speed active cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assistance and road sign assist as part of the Toyota Safety Sense package.

 

“This is certainly an important move for Toyota customers, the segment, and more broadly, the market,” said ANCAP Chief Executive, James Goodwin.

 

“Significant upgrades have been introduced to the updated Hilux to enhance occupant protection and prevent collisions with other road users.”

 

“While already a five-star vehicle, it is encouraging Toyota Motor Corporation Australia is the first to put forward a vehicle with improved safety specification to undergo re-testing against current, more stringent ANCAP criteria in order to update its rating datestamp,” he said.

 

For those interested in the numbers, the HiLux scored 96 per cent for adult occupant protection, 87 per cent for child occupant protection, 88 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and 78 per cent for safety assist.

 

The new five-star ANCAP safety rating is valid for six years and covers all HiLux variants.