Commercials with top crash ratings are getting easier to find, with the latest ANCAP tests seeing both Mercedes-Benz and Ford scoring five stars.
The Mercedes V-Class vans – including the commercially-focused Valente – joined the five-star club, as did Ford’s 2016 model Transit Custom, joining all variants of its Tourneo Custom stablemate from mid-2014 onwards.
Mercedes’ Vito was given a dual rating, as one variant has curtain airbags fitted (awarded five stars) while the other has a four-star rating because it does not have the head-protecting airbags.
After consulting with ANCAP, Mercedes-Benz says it will now make curtain airbags standard on all Vito variants from July forward.
AA motoring services general manager Stella Stocks is pleased that the German manufacture has committed to ensuring that the whole Vito range meets the five-star standard.
“It’s also fantastic to see Mercedes working to amend its 4 star rating,” says Stocks. “My advice to consumers is that the $1000 price difference for curtain airbags shouldn’t be a reason to overlook the safety of the driver and the front seat passenger.”
She also noted that five-star vehicles of this type give businesses a wider choice when selecting commercial fleets.
