Tesla Model 3, Audi A6 2019 score five-star ANCAP rating

Tesla’s hotly-anticipated Model 3, as well as the new-generation Audi A6, have been awarded a maximum five-star Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) crash score.

Headlining the Tesla Model 3’s result is a strong 96 per cent in the adult occupant protection test, with only rear passenger chest protection in the full width front crash, driver chest protection in the oblique pole test, and whiplash protection dropping points.

The safety assist category was the next highest score on 94 per cent, with the standard inclusion of autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control boosting the result.

Child occupant protection netted an 87 per cent, largely due to “one of the selected Type A convertible seats (that) could not be correctly installed in rearward facing mode using the Isofix anchorages”, according to ANCAP.

In vulnerable road user protection testing, the Model 3 nabbed 74 per cent owing to middling bonnet safety for struck pedestrians.

ANCAP boss James Goodwin praised Tesla for loading its entry-level model with a high level of standard safety gear.

“This is an impressive result, and great to see electric vehicles continuing to prioritise safety,” he said.

“It is encouraging to see Tesla give equal attention to the active safety systems and technologies on board as well as the safety fundamentals through the structure and restraints.”

Audi's new-generation A6 large sedan also nabbed a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating.

Meanwhile, Audi’s latest A6 large sedan scored 93 per cent in adult occupant protection, 85 per cent in child occupant protection, 81 per cent in vulnerable road user protection and 78 per cent in safety assist systems.

Notably, the A6 offers just marginal protection of the driver’s chest in the oblique pole test, but includes a bevy of safety equipment as standard such a AEB, blind-spot monitor, fatigue detection, rear cross-traffic alert and traffic sign recognition.

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