The Toyota Landcruiser 70 Series Cab/Chass Utility received an overall score of 22.88 (out of 37)

Australia’s leading independent vehicle safety advocate, the Australasian New Car Assessment Program, today announced a disappointing 3-star safety ratings for two cab chassis utes – the Toyota Landcruiser 70 Series and the Nissan Patrol – following crash tests of the vehicles.

DTEI’s Director Road Safety, Martin Small said the 3-star rating for the two utes, which are popular in rural areas, was not a good result.

“They both provided very disappointing protection for occupants and poor protection for pedestrians struck by the front of the vehicle,” he said.

“Research shows that, for every star you take off, the risk of serious and life-threatening injury increases.  Owners and drivers of commercial vehicles need to consider safety in the event of a crash. ANCAP has concerns about the safety ratings for these two utes. The vehicles offered minimal safety features and the passenger compartment lost structural integrity in both crash tests”.

“Neither of these vehicles provided adequate occupant protection in their respective tests – there was particularly severe deformation of the floor and footwell areas,” he said.

The Nissan Patrol DX Cab/Chass Utility received an overall score of 21.6 (out of 37)

The centre front seating position in both vehicles have a lap-only seat belt and no air bag whereby the occupant is at a greatly increased risk of severe injury compared with those protected by a lap/sash seat belt and an air bag,”  said RAA Head of Technical and Automotive, Mark Borlace.

“While understanding these utes are built on a separate chassis and are more of a work-style ute than a passenger vehicle, the results do not bode well for the driver and any occupants in the event of a severe crash.  These vehicles are often driven on rural roads, where crashes as severe as the ANCAP offset crash test are not unusual – the occupants deserve better protection,” he said.

ANCAP recommends at least 4 stars and preferably 5 stars for commercial vehicles. There are already several 4 and 5 star commercial vehicles on the market.  For a full list of ANCAP’s vehicle safety ratings, including more commercial and work vehicles, go to www.ancap.com.au.