Land Rover Discovery 2017 scores five ANCAP stars

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has issued the new-generation Land Rover Discovery a five-star crash safety rating ahead of its local launch next month.

Strong performances across the board led to the maximum rating for the large SUV, with its best result coming from the adult occupant protection category where it scored 34.25 out of a possible 38 points.

Specifically, full points (eight out of eight) were awarded for the pole test, with 'good' protection offered for all areas of the driver's body.

Child occupant protection was the Discovery's second-strongest category thanks to a score of 39.45 out of 49.

Results for the side impact (7.50 out of eight) test were also perfect, but half a point was deducted from the Discovery's final score because the driver's door became unlatched after the test crash.

Meanwhile, the full-width frontal (7.33 out of eight) test was not far behind either, with penalties applying for 'acceptable' driver and 'marginal' rear passenger chest protection.

Elsewhere, 'acceptable' levels of protection were assessed for the driver's head, chest and lower legs in the frontal offset test (6.88 out of eight).

This was mainly due to the passenger compartment remaining intact, while there was also "insufficient pressure" in the driver's airbag that would otherwise prevent their head from "bottoming out" against the steering wheel.

However, the SUV's weakest result came from the whiplash protection test (1.63 out of three), with rear occupants offered 'poor' protection from a neck injury.

Child occupant protection was the Discovery's second-strongest category thanks to a score of 39.45 out of 49, with crash testing and child safety features performing well.

The safety assist category netted a 8.80 out of 12 result, with full marks awarded for the presence of seat belt reminders in all rows.

Coming in third was the pedestrian protection category (31.67 out of 42), which had points deducted from its final score due to some 'poor' results recorded along the front edge of the bonnet.

Finally, the safety assist category netted a 8.80 out of 12 result, with full marks awarded for the presence of seat belt reminders in all rows.

Additionally, the inclusion of lane departure warning, manual speed limiter and auto emergency braking (AEB) with forward collision warning as standard equipment also helped the SUV score strongly.

ANCAP CEO James Goodwin praised the new model's results, saying "the Discovery earned its five-star safety rating showing strengths in structure, design and equipment".

Crash testing was conducted earlier this year by ANCAP's European arm – Euro NCAP – on a right-hand-drive Discovery HSE, with its five-star rating applying to all diesel variants set to be sold in Australia.

Kicking off from $65,960 before on-road costs for the five-seat TD4 S, the new Land Rover's line-up will be topped by the limited-run TD6 First Edition seven-seater ($132,160).

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