Prius with Automatic Braking Earns Top Safety Marks in Europe

Toyota Motor Corp.’s Prius hybrid car received a top five-star safety rating for its automatic emergency braking (AEB) system from the European New Car Assessment Program.

The Prius was the first vehicle to be assessed for its AEB capabilities under the European program. The technology is standard in the market as part of Toyota’s “Safety Sense” package.

Subsequent tests of Suzuki Motor Corp.’s Baleno hatchback with AEB yielded a four-star Euro NCAP rating. Without AEB, the Baleno earned only three stars. NCAP has not yet tested any other AEB-equipped models.

AEB uses inputs from cameras, radar and lasers to detect and alert drivers of an imminent forward collision. Based on driver response, it automatically applies the brakes to slow or stop the vehicle.

The technology is already available as an option on many vehicles in various markets. In the U.S., the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and 20 carmakers last month announced plans to voluntarily make AEB standard equipment on most models by September 2022. Toyota says it will standardize the technology on 25 of the 30 Toyota and Lexus vehicles it sells in the U.S. by the end of 2017.