New models continue Subaru's unblemished safety record
Because this pair is so similar under the skin, shared test results were used to determine the safety ratings for these models. Collision avoidance performance tests were conducted on the Subaru Crosstrek together with the full-width frontal, oblique pole and side impact tests. Meantime, frontal offset (MPDB) testings was conducted on the Subaru Impreza. The Impreza also underwent its own side impact and pedestrian tests to confirm comparable performance.
Read out review of Subaru Crosstrek here.
For Adult Occupant Protection both models achieved an 83 per cent result. They offered Good levels of protection for the driver in the full width frontal, side impact and oblique tests. Here, full points were scored. Front passenger protection in the frontal offset test was also deemed Good. A centre airbag between the front seats resulted in mixed performance following side impact crashes.
Both models achieved 91 per cent crash test results for Child Occupant Protection. They scored maximum points in the two crash tests that featured the six- and ten-year-old child dummies.
Similar results were recorded for Vulnerable Road User Protection (Crosstrek 85%; Impreza 84%). In physical impact tests, the bonnet and windscreen of both models provided Good protection to the head of a struck pedestrian. But Poor results were noted on the stiff windscreen pillars. Both models have the ability to detect and automatically avoid or reduce the severity of a crash with pedestrians and cyclists.
Safety Assist systems garnered a 73 per cent result for both models. Each is fitted with Subaru's EyeSight technology. So they offer AEB, lane keep assist, emergency lane keeping, speed assistance systems, and a direct driver monitoring system.
The Impreza offered slightly better head and lower leg protection for pedestrians than the Crosstrek. But femur protection provided by the Crosstrek was superior to that of the Impreza, giving it a slightly higher Vulnerable Road User Protection score.
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Scoop
14-07-2025
- Scoop
Palmer Cleans Up The Taranaki Tarmac Rally; Increases Lead In NI Rally Series
Quentin Palmer (Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo) continued to stamp his mark on the 2025 Hawkeswood Mining North Island Rally Series (NIRS) after winning every stage of the SBT Group Taranaki Tarmac one-day rally held on Saturday and taking overall victory. Second NIRS competitor home was William Menzies/Doug Dolan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) ahead of Bradley Stewart/Oliver Drake (Subaru Impreza). 'Definitely thrilled to take the win,' commented Palmer. 'With Cameron (Ross) and David (Rogers) as (overall) favourites I didn't expect to do well, so was surprised to find I won the opening stage ahead of them.' With two Special Stages cancelled (SS 3 and 4) Palmer and co-driver Dayna Kiekebosch went on to win all seven other competitive stages finishing 1min 34 sec ahead of Marcus van Klink/Matt Richards (Mazda RX8). Competing in his first tarmac rally, Menzies came home a solid second in the NIRS standings and third overall. He was also awarded the 'Driver of the Day' trophy. 'I wasn't sure what to expect,' said Menzies. 'It was completely different as my car is set up quite tight for gravel. I was on rally tyres which worked out in the end. I heard rain falling in the middle of the night so was confident it was going to work. 'There were a couple of dry stages where the car was moving around. Other than that, it felt great as it was quite wet at times, so it worked out. Thrilled with the result and really encouraged by it.' The competition for the final podium position was close between Stewart and Charlie Evans (Mazda RX7). The latter was holding on to third until he suffered a rally-ending mechanical with one Special Stage to complete, handing the place to Stewart. Fourth were Chris Ramsay/Amy Hudson (Toyota Corolla APR2) ahead of Ben Huband/Corinne Watson (Subaru Impreza). The SBT Group Taranaki Tarmac Rally incorporated the second round of the NIRS which saw Palmer extend his lead to 34-points over Huband and Menzies who sit second equal with Dave Strong in fourth followed by Stewart and Phil Campbell. 'We must have got the (tarmac) setup right,' said Palmer who moved up to the Skoda Fabia Rally2 car this season. 'We got some good advice heading into the rally and I'm feeling more comfortable in the car, although there is plenty more to learn. It is my first rally win so thrilled to have achieved that.' In the Class results, John Whooley (Honda Civic) has extended his lead in Class C (2WD 1601-2000) while in Class D (2WD 2001 and over), Charlie Evans' (Mazda RX7) retirement saw Ramsay take maximum points while Jeff Torkington (Toyota MR2) retains his lead. In the Classic Class E, 18-year-old novice and recipient of the RallyDrive New Zealand full day testing voucher, Kyle Percival (Ford Escort Mk2), also extends his lead over Nick Flanagan. Palmer continues to lead Class F (4WD 1601-2000) while Ben Huband (Subaru Impreza) has had his lead narrowed to just three-points over Menzies in Class G (4WD 2001 and over). Bradley Stewart (Subaru Impreza) moves to 13-points ahead of Chris Burke in Class I (4WD Pre 1996). Both drivers and teams take a break before the third round of the Hawkeswood Mining North Island Rally Series on 23 August 2025 at Rally Coromandel.
Otago Daily Times
11-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Camry takes it up another notch
NEW CAR What's new? Not so many years ago, the launch of a new generation Toyota Camry would have been one of the major motoring events of the year. But in these SUV-dominated days the model that was once a sales leader in a crowded mainstream large saloon segment is now our sole survivor, and its arrival here late last year in what is generally reckoned to be 10th-generation form went largely unnoticed. More than six months on, it's time for this latest Camry to finally grace these pages, tested in top-flight ZR specification. This latest Camry is based quite heavily on the model it replaces, utilising the same underlying platform, the same front doors and the same roof structure. There's a 35mm gain in overall length thanks to an increased front overhang, but its wheelbase, width and height are unchanged. Despite much that's the same, there have been enhancements under the skin including revisions to the suspension and steering. It's a similar story mechanically, where the established recipe of a petrol-electric hybrid system centred on a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle engine and driving the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission is maintained, now as the sole powertrain option. Yet here there have been major enhancements too, including a new and more powerful electric motor and smaller, lighter and more efficient transaxle. Unlike the mildly refreshed exterior, the interior does get a substantive makeover, and this latest Camry also moves ahead with an enhanced array of safety systems and Toyota's latest suite of digital interfaces and technologies. Three mechanically identical variants of the new Camry are available, opening with the $49,990 GX. There's a mid-spec SX listing at $52,990, while the ZR, as tested, tags at $57,990. What comes as standard? Toyota doesn't play favourites within the Camry range for safety equipment, and is rightly proud of a freshly-earned 5-star Ancap test results that includes the highest rating (95%) for adult occupant protection of any car tested under the Ancap system last year. Provided under Toyota's Safety Sense banner, key active safety features include a 360-degree camera system, autonomous emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-trace assist and lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and curve speed reduction, traffic sign recognition, auto-dipping headlights, blind-spot monitoring with safe exit alert, and a driver monitoring camera. A key safety development with this new Camry is new a forward-facing camera with a far wider field of view than the previous model. This enables the autonomous emergency braking to detect and respond to a wide range of hazards earlier. Turning to creature comforts and convenience features, the entry-level GX is fitted with dual-zone climate control, a six-speaker sound system, and front and rear parking sensors. Sitting on 17-inch alloys and equipped with bi-beam LED headlights, this variant has an eight-inch centre touchscreen, offers smartphone mirroring and voice recognition, and musters four USB-C plugs as well as a single older-style USB-A socket. The SX takes more sophisticated multi-eye LED headlights and adds LED fog lamps. Within the cabin it boasts the larger 12.3-inch touchscreen, satellite navigation, a wireless charge pad, a 10-way power adjusting drivers seat, and a leather-rimmed steering wheel. Siting on 18-inch alloys shod with 235/45 Bridgestone tyres, the flagship ZR adds a lot more equipment including a panorama sunroof, nine-speaker JBL sound system, head up display, artificial leather trim, a power-adjusting front passengers seat, heating and ventilation for both front seats, a heated and power-adjusting steering wheel and heated exterior mirrors. What's it look like? Given that there's been no change in wheelbase, and the door and roof structure also carry over, it's a case of (mild) evolution rather than revolution when it comes to the exterior styling of his latest Camry. The nose has been significantly updated, echoing the look of the latest Prius with narrow crescent-shaped headlights, a slit-like upper grille. Unlike the pure EV Prius, the Camry does need to provide for a decent flow of cooling air to its motor, and this is provided by a large lower grille adorned with diamond patterning on its edges. The crescent theme is repeated with the tail lights, and compared to its predecessor this latest Camry also has quite different rear bumper mouldings. A small detail change at the rear is the replacement of the previous model's "hybrid" badging on the right of the bootlid with the letters "HEV", this being reasonably obvious Toyota shorthand for hybrid electric vehicle. Somehow, the overall look manages to be simultaneously inoffensive and quite sleek, and from some side angles surprisingly delicate. What's it like inside? Working from the rear to the front, boot space remains unchanged from the previous Camry at 524-litres. Even on the flagship ZR, the boot lid is not power operated, but that hardly matters since the assist spring is sufficiently powerful to raise the boot itself when opened. One minus point is that ease of access to the back of the cabin has diminished, as the rear door aperture has been modified, seemingly for aesthetic reasons. The new door line, which now bisects the rear side glass insert rather than fully encompassing it make entry and egress tighter. Once aboard, however, the back seats score very well for spaciousness, with ample legroom and plenty of width. The rear row is also quite bright and airy thanks to the panoramic sunroof. Accommodating three adults across the back is easy, albeit with the middle occupant perched slightly higher than those either side. With just two in the back, the rear centre armrest can be deployed. The armrest its fitted with two cupholders, while the back of the centre console houses adjustable rear air vents and dual USB-C charge points. Interior colour and trim choices are fairly conservative, with various shades of grey, gloss black and burnished metallic highlighting, and a disappointing lack of contrast even on the top-spec upholstery of the test car. Yet while the overall effect is not especially adventurous, it's all very neatly done, with soft touch surfaces where you'd expect them, and the normal high Toyota standard of fit and finish. The most obvious visual talking point up front is the horizontal bar insert on the passengers' side of the dash, which is cleverly integrated with the centre touchscreen surround. The touchscreen has quick-access buttons and a rotary volume knob to its right, and is positioned above a separate display screen and button array for the climate control, seat heating and cooling, and steering wheel heating. A wireless charge pad, an oddment cup and a bevy of USB plug points are positioned at the front of the centre console, ahead of the gear selectors and drive mode buttons on the drivers' side, and dual cupholders to the left. Topped by a padded centre armrest, the centre bin is large and deep. Smartphone mirroring was easily accomplished on test, and the centre screen and its menu system impressed for it clarity and generally easy operability. What's it like to drive? With a power adjusting seat and power adjusting steering column, finding a suitable driving position on the ZR Camry is easy. Even with the seat in its lowest position, the driver comparatively high, with good all-round visibility, at least by saloon (as opposed to SUV) standards. Key controls are sensibly positioned, and the fully digital main instrument panel — which changes its display according to the drive mode selected — is clear, though not always instinctive to navigate via the control buttons on the steering wheel. Essential information including both vehicle speed and the speed limit show clearly on the head up display. The powertrain is impressive, as one might expect given Toyota's long experience with hybrid systems. Dubbed a "generation five" system, this hybrid evolution seems able to do more of its lower-speed motoring in purely electric or heavily electric-assisted modes than that of the previous Camry hybrid. That, or course, is all to the good in respect of thrift and round-town and aural refinement. Toyota is famously shy about giving peak torque figures for its hybrids. Indeed, one even has to dig quite hard to ascertain that the petrol engine's 138kW/221Nm outputs are supplemented by an electric motor capability of up to 108kW and 208Nm. Because the petrol and electric motors never produce to their fullest ability at the same time, the system's peak ouput is never the sum of the two. Toyota is quite open than the maximum combined power output is 170Nm, and I'd suggest that when maximum effort is called for, that's backed by around 350Nm of torque. That's ample to deliver snappy overtaking when required, and another standout feature is that the petrol engine never feels or sounds thrashy, even when using the paddle shifts and accelerating hard. Impressive levels of mechanical refinement are backed by well contained wind and road noise and a compliant ride to establish this latest Camry as an effortless and very comfortable highway cruiser. The steering, which firms markedly in sport mode, is precise though a a little short on feel. Handling-wise, the test car was surefooted though medium to quick corners, with a composure (as you would hope) far superior to that of a similar-sized SUV. Tighter bends are less Camry's thing, for while it's a nicely balanced car dynamically, it's also quite large and not especially nimble. Active safety aids are very much the thing these days, and frequently irritatingly intrusive. Hat's off to Toyota, then, for keeping this in check with the latest Camry; even in their default settings, nothing in the active safety suite is too invasive during normal driving, and many of the systems can be partially or fully deactivated anyhow. One attribute especially welcomed on test was the ability to select either adaptive or regular cruise control via the multi-function steering wheel. Economy is worthy of note, too. This latest Camry is rated at 4.5l/100km, and while Drivesouth didn't quite match this on test, the car was returned with a 5.2l/100km return showing on the trip computer. Even allowing for recommended diet of 95 octane gasoline, that's impressive thrift for a large saloon, and underscores just how far Toyota's ongoing refinement of its hybrid systems has progressed. Verdict Incremental improvement is the name of the game with this new-generation Camry. The end result may not stir the soul, but it's deeply impressive nonetheless. AT A GLANCE TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID ZR Overall rating: ★★★★ Design and styling: ★★★+ Interior: ★★★★ Performance: ★★★+ Ride/handling: ★★★★ Safety: ★★★★★ Environmental: ★★★ SPECIFICATION Price: $57,990 Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder 138kW/221Nm petrol engine and 100kW/208Nm electric motor. Maximum combined power 170kW. Transmission: Continuously variable, front-wheel-drive. Safety rating: 5-star Ancap. Wheels and tyres: alloy wheels, 235/45 R18 tyres. Fuel and economy: 95 octane unleaded petrol, 4.5 litres per 100km on standard cycle, fuel tank capacity 50 litres. Carbon emissions: 103 grams CO2/km. Dimensions: Length 4920mm, width 1840mm, height 1445mm. By David Thomson
Scoop
06-07-2025
- Scoop
Taranaki Tarmac Rally To Be Hotly Contested By NI Rally Series Competitors
The SBT Group Taranaki Tarmac one-day rally takes place this Saturday 12 July 2025 with the rivalry amongst the 2025 Hawkeswood Mining North Island Rally Series (NIRS) competitors expected to step up a notch. The question to be answered after nine Special Stages is 'Will this be a year a rally car beats a Targa spec car?' Quentin Palmer (Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo) stamped his mark on the 2025 NIRS season after taking first round honours in early May winning the Ruarangi Rd Rallysprint. It was his first outing in his new Skoda, and he beat home last season's champion Phil Campbell (Ford Fiesta AP4). "Taranaki will be interesting for us," commented Palmer. "Our car originally came into NZ as a tarmac car before being converted to gravel spec. I definitely have to do some tarmac practice, and we have a lot of setup changes to make.' However, traditionally the Taranaki Tarmac Rally has been the domain of bitumen specialists and last year's winner Cameron Ross/Matthew Buer (Subaru Impreza) is seeded first and will be hard to beat as will second seed David Rogers (Mitsubishi Evo 10). Also making an appearance in the North Island and not to be discounted is Marcus van Klink (Mazda RX8) who will start third on the road ahead of Palmer. The rally comprises 204kms of Touring Stags and nine Special Stages totalling 124kms with four of them being repeated. As per MotorSport NZ Tarmac Rally requirements this event runs with 200 Kilometer per hour speed limit. The new route includes the infamous tunnels and the spectacular Inglewood yumps. Co-Chairman Sean Bryce said 'The Rally Committee are excited about the new route and location of this years Rally and hope this Event will go down well with the residents, local community and the competitors' Missing from the start list is last season's NIRS champion Phil Campbell (Ford Fiesta AP4). Current Class C (2WD 1601-2000) leader, John Whooley (Honda Civic) will look to extend his lead while in Class D (2WD 2001 and over), Charlie Evans (Mazda RX7) resumes his battle with Jeff Torkington (Toyota MR2). In the Classic Class E, Kyle Percival (Ford Escort Mk2) will have his hands full. Palmer will want to extend his lead in Class F (4WD 1601-2000) as will Ben Hubbard (Subaru Impreza) in Class G (4WD 2001 and over) and Bradley Stewart (Subaru Impreza) in Class I (4WD Pre 1996). Scholarship recipients (with a discounted entry fee) are first time rookies young Samuel and Matthew Broadbent (Mitsubishi Evo) from Ngatea who have been showing fast pace at recent Rallysprints. The Clubman's and National Rally is promoted by the Taranaki Car Club in conjunction with the South Taranaki Car Club, and will take place in the New Plymouth and North Taranaki regions. The first car gets away from the Plymouth International Hotel at 07.00 hours, starting Special Stage 1 at 07.30hrs, returning at approximately 16.00 hours to the Plymouth for the champagne finish and after match meal and prizegiving.
