WITH 90% of Toyota Prius cars sold over the last 10 years still plying the world’s roads, the hybrid’s toughness and durability are undisputed. Now, having received five-star safety ratings, the highest possible, from the Euro NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) and the JNCAP (Japan New Car Assessment Program), the Prius has been confirmed as one of the safest cars on the road today.
“Toyota is an industry leader when it comes to the development and implementation of sophisticated safety systems, and the Prius has profited greatly from the company’s dedication to the safety of both passengers and pedestrians,” said Mazin Jameel, Director of Marketing at Abdul Latif Jameel Motors. “The five-star ratings from the Euro NCAP and the JNCAP are just further proof of that.”
The five-star rating of the all-new Prius follows on the same top rating given to the first and second generation Prius. Toyota’s constant improvement of its safety technologies has helped Prius – the world’s best-selling full hybrid car – comply with Euro NCAP’s stringent and wide-ranging test criteria, which cover not only how vehicle occupants and pedestrians are protected in real-life accident scenarios, but also the quality and range of safety equipment provided.
The new Prius achieved an excellent 92% score for overall adult occupant protection — 82% for child occupants, 77% for pedestrian protection performance, and 85% for safety assist performance.
In addition to receiving top ratings from the Euro NCAP, the Prius also received the JNCAP’s top safety designation, as well. Undergoing the JNCAP’s Preventive Safety Performance Test, the Prius Toyota Safety Sense P collision avoidance support package received extremely high marks. Top ratings were garnered for collision safety performance, pedestrian protection performance and preventive safety performance.
Toyota made its top safety features available on Prius. Toyota Safety Sense, which provides safeguards for avoiding crashes or limiting their severity. Toyota Safety Sense includes the Pre-Collision System that is able to detect and react to pedestrians as well as vehicles in the car’s path. Also included in the Pre-Collision System is Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert with steering control, and Automatic High Beam. Additional radar-controlled systems including a Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are also available.
The new Prius also features Toyota’s New Global Architecture-based platform and body, which make good use of strategic reinforcements such as high-strength steels to absorb and channel impact forces away from the cabin. This platform was instrumental in its side barrier impact test resulting in “good protection of all critical body areas.”
Toyota is developing safer vehicles and technologies based on its Integrated Safety Management concept, an approach that gives direction to safety technology and vehicle development. Toyota is also pressing forward with measures that integrate people, vehicles, and the traffic environment so as to contribute to the elimination of traffic fatalities and injuries – the ultimate goal of a society that values mobility. — SG
