At CAR magazine, we take every new vehicle we feature to our test strip to gather data for our in-depth road tests. Below we have listed the worst average braking times (across our standard ten attempts, each from 100 km/h) we collected in 2018. As with our list of fastest-stopping vehicles, the best single stopping-time a vehicle achieved is used to break a tie (average times are listed below).
5. Mercedes-Benz X250d 4Matic: 3,42 seconds
The X250d we tested in the May 2018 issue of CAR magazine was fitted with 320 mm and 308 mm ventilated discs fore and aft, and rode on 255/60 R18 Continental Cross Contact X2 rubber. The Mercedes managed an average 100-0 km/h time of 3,42 seconds and a best single stopping time of 3,04, which saw it place fifth on this list. But how will the flagship version, the X350d, do when put it through our punishing braking test? Find out in the March 2019 issue…
4. Haval H9 2,0T 4WD Luxury: 3,42 seconds
The H9 is the most expensive Chinese car we’ve tested to date, but is equipped with loads of standard spec, including safety features such as ABS, electronic brake assist (EBA) and electronic brake distribution (EBD). Unfortunately for the 2 391 kg Haval, its 330 mm ventilated discs (found at all four corners) couldn’t stop it from featuring on this list, with its best single stopping time of 3,23 seconds worse than the X250d’s single best.
3. Nissan Micra Active 1,2 Visia: 3,44 seconds
It’s a little surprising to see a small, fairly light vehicle make our list of slowest-braking vehicles. In third place is the Nissan Micra Active, which sports 14-inch black alloys wrapped in Falken Sincera rubber. Equipped with ventilated discs at the front and drum units at the rear, this quirky hatchback stopped in an average time of 3,44 seconds.
2. Roush Ranger RS3 Double Cab AT: 3,55 seconds
Roush has uprated Ford’s 3,2-litre five-cylinder’s original output of 147 kW and 470 N.m of torque to an X350d-rivalling 190 kW and 650 N.m. But while it all looks good on paper, in practice the Roush isn’t as refined as the bakkie it’s based on. Compared with the average braking time of 3,20 seconds the stock Ranger Wildtrak achieved when we tested it back in 2016, the modified unit managed 3,55 seconds. The Roush rides on Pirelli Scorpion APR tyres and interestingly makes use of the same brakes found on the Wildtrak (302 mm ventilated at the front and 295 mm drums at the back).
1. BAIC X25 1,5 MT Fashion: 3,81 seconds
When we tested the BAIC X25 in the May 2018 issue of CAR magazine, we concluded that this well-specced small crossover showed potential. Unfortunately, poor braking ability and NVH levels overshadowed its commendable attributes. Safety systems such as ABS and EBD are present, but the crossover’s 256 mm ventilated discs up front and 259 mm solid stoppers at the rear managed to stop the 16-inch wheels from turning only after a lengthy average time of 3,81 seconds, garnering it the title of the slowest-braking vehicle we tested all year…
