Our first independent AEB test program reveals hits and misses from the 2017 COTY field.

Mazda’s CX-9 was one of the standouts in Wheels’ inaugural autonomous emergency brake (AEB) testing for COTY 2017.

Priced from $42,390, the seven-seat SUV shone in the most comprehensive independent test of its type in Australia of what is an increasingly relevant safety feature.

As first reported last month, the tests were conducted in conjunction with Insurance Australia Group’s (IAG) research department, and involved driving towards the two custom target vehicles at speeds of 10, 20 and 25km/h.

The AEB testing was introduced to COTY in 2017 as an evolution of Wheels’ long history in independently verifying active safety systems, from ABS to ESC.

Autonomous -emergency -braking -test -on -road

As one of the most affordable vehicles on the market with AEB standard on all models, the CX-9 was praised by judges for raising safety standards in the large SUV category that’s popular with families.

The CX-9 wasn’t alone in performing well in the ground-breaking AEB tests, which featured a ute target vehicle for the first time anywhere in the world.

Seven manufacturers provided models that successfully aced all six disciplines. These were Mercedes-Benz (with the C-Class Coupe, GLC and E-Class), Audi, Holden, Infiniti, Skoda, Subaru and Volvo.

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In a year when Toyota’s Hilux topped the sales charts – the first time a ute has achieved the feat – Wheels’ exclusive testing revealed there were potential concerns with some systems reacting to the unique rear-end design of pick-up trucks, which are similar to SUVs.

AEB systems from BMW, Jaguar and Volkswagen successfully detected the Camry target vehicle, but did not consistently detect the Navara ute (see results panel right.)

Wheels Car of the Year AEB test results

u00a0

Mid-sized sedan target vehicle

Ute target vehicle

Car10km/h20km/h25km/hu00a010km/hu00a020km/h25km/hu00a0
Audi A4/Allroadu00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714
BMW M2u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2717u00a0Not testedu00a0Not tested
Holden Astrau00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714
Infiniti Q30/QX30u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714
Jaguar XFu00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2717u00a0Not testedu00a0Not tested
Jaguar F-Paceu00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2717u00a0Not tested
Mazda CX-9u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714

Mercedes-Benz
C-Class Coupe

u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714

Mercedes-Benz GLC

u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714
Mercedes-Benz E-Classu00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714
Mini Clubmanu00a0u2714u00a0u2717u00a0Not testedu00a0u2717u00a0Not testedu00a0Not tested
Skoda Superbu00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714
Subaru Imprezau00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714

Volkswagen
Tiguan

u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2717u00a0Not testedu00a0Not tested
Volvo S90u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714u00a0u2714