Subaru Safety
Our commitment to safety goes back to the 1960’s, when we were the first Japanese auto-manufacturer to conduct our own crash testing. In 2008, we introduced the world’s first camera-based driver assistance technology, called Subaru EyeSight. We were ahead of our time then and are streets ahead of the competition today when it comes to Subaru safety features.
We are the only car brand across the globe to have a 5-star safety rating and have achieved several Top Safety Pick Plus awards too. There’s safe, and then there’s Subaru Safe.
EyeSight Driver Assistance System
What are Subaru’s safety features? Subaru safety is what we are known for the world over. All Subaru safety reviews agree on one thing, each one of our models is designed to offer Confidence in Motion thanks to the range of stringent safety features offered. Subaru EyeSight is award-winning driver assist technology developed by Subaru engineers over the past 20 years. The cutting-edge technology monitors the road ahead, recognising potentially dangerous driving situations and assisting the driver to reduce the occurrence of forward collisions or completely avoid them. The system does this by detecting the presence of vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and other potential hazards up to 110m in front of it. Our technology works by capturing 3D images through cameras on the front windscreen. If it identifies anything that might be of danger, it warns the driver audibly, urging them to take action and brake. If they don’t, it automatically applies the brakes. Using data from the stereo cameras, the engine, brakes and transmission, the system has the following functions:
Pre-Collision Braking System
Provides automatic braking when EyeSight detects a potential frontal impact. The Pre-Collision Braking System provides automatic braking to help avoid or reduce the severity of detected frontal accident impacts. Should the driver be distracted or not register the risk of a collision, braking will be automatically applied when it is recognised by EyeSight.
Adaptive Cruise Control
Maintains a set speed and distance from a lead vehicle. Adaptive Cruise Control maintains the speed set by the driver, but also regulates the vehicle’s speed in order to maintain a set distance from the car in front of it. The driver can select from three different distances, based on time and speed, and then the EyeSight Driver Assist System will automatically use braking and monitoring technologies to regulate the vehicle’s speed, in line with the traffic flow.
Pre-Collision Throttle Management
Reduces available acceleration in situations where the system detects objects in front of the vehicle that the vehicle is likely to hit. The engine output is restricted to reduce possible impact force and frontal impact damage, and to help prevent injury should the driver mistakenly accelerate.
Lane Departure & Sway Warning
Monitors the vehicle’s position within road lane markings and sounds a warning to the driver if their vehicle sways within or moves out of its lane unintentionally.
Ring-Shaped Reinforcement
Ring-shaped reinforcement frames form a hardened skeleton from roof to door and pillar to floor. This creates a safe area within the cabin, diverting the force of any impact away from passengers. If there’s a crash, the low-mounted position of the engine makes it more likely to slide safely beneath the floor – keeping passengers out of harm’s way. It’s a bit like a roll cage in a motor sport vehicle.
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive System
Only in a Subaru do you have the confidence of the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD) System. Rather than a two-wheel or four-wheel drive, we engineer our vehicles so that the engine power delivers to all four wheels simultaneously. This means double the grip capacity for better cornering and acceleration, and greater control and confidence for a much safer drive. This is why every one of our vehicles – excluding the Subaru BRZ – engages all four wheels, all the time.
Lower Positioned Boxer Engine
If a severe frontal collision occurs, the Boxer engine will slide below the cabin – not through it. Its rearward movement and contact with the road surface also absorbs more impact energy, which contributes to the crumple zone action and further reduces the risk of injury.
Reverse Automatic Braking
Reverse Automatic Braking will sense and alert you if it detects you are about to hit something behind you. And now it will even apply the brakes in the event that you don’t.
Blind Spot Monitor with Lane Change Assist
If a vehicle is in your blind spot, a light symbol in your side mirror lights up – on either side of the car – to let you know. If you’re changing lanes and a fast-approaching vehicle is behind you, a light symbol will warn you of its presence.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
If you’re reversing and a vehicle drives past behind you, you will receive an audible and visual warning. Perfect for Saturday-morning shopping.
Seven Airbags Standard
Dual front airbags are met by side airbags for each front seat, as well as curtain airbags that run the full length of the cabin on each side of the vehicle. Elevating the safety of Subaru vehicles one step further, a crucial driver’s knee airbag is also included to minimise injury to the driver’s knees, in the event of a frontal impact.
Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC)
You can never predict what’s up ahead, whether you’re in suburban streets or extreme ‘outback’ conditions. That’s why we’ve developed an electronic driver assist system called VDC. Featuring a range of stability and braking technologies, VDC steps in to help prevent accidents. VDC contains an array of sensors that constantly analyse and assess conditions, and take action when needed.
