Dangerous reversing maneuvers: reversing emergency brake assistants put to the test
Assistance systems for parking and reversing can prevent serious accidents and property damage by warning drivers or initiating emergency braking. The TCS has tested reversing emergency brake assist systems in eight vehicle models and found that the vehicle price does not play a role in quality and all tested systems exceed the minimum legal requirements.
Since July 2024, a whole range of driver assistance systems have been mandatory for all new cars. When reversing, these include parking beepers or a reversing camera, but no emergency brake assist. Poor all-round visibility is one of the causes of maneuvering accidents. Not only property damage, but even serious accidents can be avoided with these systems. Older people in particular can suffer serious injuries as a result of a slow collision and subsequent fall to the ground.
Not always standard equipment
The test shows what today's systems can already do and the possibilities of advanced sensor technology such as radar and cameras. Models with a high search volume from different manufacturers were selected for the vehicle. The three categories "pedestrians", "static obstacles" and "parking" were tested in different scenarios.
Reversing Emergency Brake Assist is standard equipment on six of the eight models tested when buying a new car in Switzerland: BMW X3, VW Tiguan, Volvo EX30 Ultra, Mercedes E220, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and BYD Seal (cross-traffic detection, but no Reversing Emergency Brake Assist). The system is available as an option for the Ford Puma and Renault 5 models.
Two models are less convincing
Four models achieve a performance of 100 percent, the BMW X3, Ford Puma (the cheapest of these four vehicles), Volvo EX 30 Ultra and VW Tiguan detect obstacles and road users very reliably. The VW Tiguan brakes safely, but unpleasantly hard.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 also reliably detects and brakes in reverse at 4 km/h in all categories. In addition, the driver is warned by the vibration of the steering wheel when the vehicle is approaching an obstacle. When reversing at 8 km/h, however, the vehicle does not recognize the bobby car dummy. The Mercedes E220 reliably detects and brakes for obstacles and other road users, except for the bobby car dummy.
The BYD Seal only brakes when traffic is crossing. The Renault 5 does not brake when crossing traffic, but warns with beeps and indicates the direction from which the obstacle is approaching. Of all the vehicles tested, the Renault 5 has the least poor driver visibility of the rear near field.
Overall, it can be stated that all tested systems exceed the minimum legal requirements.
Investment pays off
A full version cannot always be ordered. However, the TCS recommends finding out about the reversing emergency brake assistant before buying and, if available, investing in the additional price if it is not yet standard. Even if incorrect braking and unwanted interventions in narrow exits or bushes can certainly occur with these systems, their benefits clearly outweigh the disadvantages by reducing damage and avoiding accidents. Prices range from 650 to around 1,400 francs.
Source: TCS
