Mahindra XUV500 scores 4 Star ANCAP safety rating

India’s newest and most popular SUV, the Mahindra XUV500 is all set to hit the Australian market. But in doing so, the vehicle had to pass the rigorous Australian New Car Assessment Programme (ANCAP). The ANCAP tests the crash worthiness of vehicles that would like to make it to Australian roads and let potential customers know of the vehicle’s safety levels. 

Australia is familiar with Mahindra vehicles, but the XUV500 was to introduce the SUV image to its brand name in the country. And as such safety was expected to be a primary factor for the vehicle’s success. 

The Mahindra XUV500 successfully passed the ANCAP crash test bagging four stars for safety, scoring 26 points of the total 37. It scored 10 out of 16 points in the frontal crash test and 16 out of 16 points in the side impact test. 

The XUV500’s monocoque chassis coupled with other safety features helped it rack up a four star safety rating. But the factors that let it down during the frontal impact was the brake pedal moving backwards, which could cause serious injury to the driver’s legs in the event of an impact. Another safety hindrance during the crash test was a rupture in the fuel line due to contact with the driveshaft. Also, the tailgate popped open during the event of the impact. These were the major factors that once fixed can allow the XUV500 gain a full blown 5 Star ANCAP safety rating. 

The crash test results prove that the XUV500 is not just about style, but impressive substance too. The top of the line W8 4WD variant of the Mahindra XUV500 comes loaded with safety features such as Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Brake force Distribution, six airbags, multiple crumple zones, monocoque chassis and a collapsible steering.