Nissan’s 2013 Pathfinder is the latest SUV to receive a 5-star safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Programme (ANCAP).
The Pathfinder performed strongly in most ANCAP tests and boasts dual frontal, side chest and curtain airbags, antilock brakes (ABS), electronic brake distribution (EBD) and electronic stability control (ESC). All of these safety features are required to even be considered for a 5-star safety rating.
Advanced seatbelt reminders are fitted to all seats in the Pathfinder.
AA Motoring Services General Manager Stella Stocks says New Zealand motorists are becoming spoilt for choice as more new vehicles tick most of the safety boxes.
“Kiwis love SUVs and with another 5-star car available there’s really no reason why safety should be compromised when purchase decisions are being made,” Ms Stocks says.
The Transport Agency’s group manager of Access and Use Celia Patrick says the increasingly wide range of safe five star vehicles on the market is great news and the Transport Agency, along with the AA, encourages people to buy the safest vehicles they can afford.
“We know that when consumers have good, reliable and independent information they will purchase safer vehicles – that demand in turn drives manufacturers to build more safety features into their cars. We encourage people to look carefully at these independent crash test results and 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(external link) or rightcar.govt.nz(external link).
