The safest affordable electric car in Australia for 2026 is the Leapmotor B10, according to published ANCAP assessment results, with scores of 93% for Adult Occupant Protection and 95% for Child Occupant Protection. However, it’s far from the only budget-friendly EV to achieve strong safety credentials, with models such as the Zeekr X, Geely EX5, MG S5 EV, BYD Dolphin and Kia EV3 also performing impressively in independent crash testing.
As electric vehicle adoption continues to grow across Australia, buyers are increasingly comparing not just driving range, charging speed and pricing, but also how vehicles perform under ANCAP’s local safety assessment program. This list ranks the safest affordable EVs on sale in 2026 based on their published ANCAP safety performance, helping buyers identify models that deliver strong protection without stretching the budget.
ANCAP’s latest safety protocols evaluate vehicles across four key areas: Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection, Vulnerable Road User Protection, and Safety Assist technologies. Together, these categories provide a comprehensive assessment of real-world safety performance.
Many affordable EVs now achieve safety scores comparable with significantly more expensive vehicles. From family-friendly SUVs to compact urban EVs, manufacturers are investing heavily in crash protection and advanced driver assistance systems. Here are 10 of the safest affordable electric cars available in Australia for 2026.
ANCAP Safest Electric Cars – 2026
| Model | Adult Occupant Protection | Child Occupant Protection | Vulnerable RoadUser Protection | Safety Assist | Overall rating |
| Leapmotor B10 | 93% | 95% | 84% | 86% | 90.2% |
| *Zeekr X | 91% | 87% | 84% | 84% | 87.4% |
| Geely EX5 | 86% | 87% | 83% | 85% | 85.4% |
| MG S5 EV | 90% | 86% | 82% | 79% | 85.4% |
| BYD Dolphin | 89% | 86% | 85% | 77% | 85.2% |
| GAC Aion V | 88% | 87% | 79% | 79% | 84.2% |
| Deepal S07 | 95% | 86% | 74% | 70% | 84.0% |
| Leapmotor C10 | 89% | 87% | 77% | 77% | 83.8% |
| Kia EV5 | 88% | 86% | 74% | 82% | 83.6% |
| Kia EV3 | 83% | 86% | 78% | 81% | 82.2% |
*Zeekr X currently carries a Euro NCAP rating recognised under equivalent testing protocols.
Note: ANCAP scores shown reflect the latest available published assessments at the time of writing. Some recently introduced models may have updated scores published after initial release.
Leapmotor B10
Starting price: $45,714 (Drive-away)
The Leapmotor B10 has quickly established itself as one of the safest affordable EVs available to Australian buyers. Despite its competitive pricing, the compact electric SUV delivers safety performance that rivals vehicles costing significantly more.
ANCAP awarded the B10 a 5-star safety rating, highlighted by an outstanding 93% Adult Occupant Protection score and an exceptional 95% Child Occupant Protection result, one of the highest child safety scores recorded under the current protocol. The vehicle also achieved 84% for Vulnerable Road User Protection and 86% for Safety Assist technologies.
ANCAP testing found the passenger compartment remained stable during frontal offset impacts, while side-impact protection scored particularly strongly. Standard safety equipment includes autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, emergency lane support, adaptive speed assistance and a centre airbag. For families seeking maximum protection at an affordable price point, the B10 delivers one of the strongest safety packages in the emerging EV segment.
Zeekr X
Starting price: $48,900 (Drive-away)
The Zeekr X demonstrates how quickly Chinese EV manufacturers are closing the gap on established global brands when it comes to safety performance. While positioned as a premium compact electric SUV, it remains competitively priced against many mainstream EV rivals in Australia.
Independent crash testing delivered impressive results, including 91% Adult Occupant Protection, 87% Child Occupant Protection and 84% Vulnerable Road User Protection. The vehicle also achieved 84% for Safety Assist technologies.
Crash testing highlighted excellent structural integrity in both frontal and side-impact scenarios, while advanced driver assistance systems contributed strongly to its overall performance. The Zeekr X comes equipped with autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance and cyclist detection technology.
Its balanced performance across all safety categories makes it one of the most comprehensively safe compact EVs currently available, providing strong peace of mind for urban commuters and families alike.
Geely EX5
Starting price: $45,893 (Drive-away)
The Geely EX5 has emerged as one of the strongest value-focused electric SUVs on the Australian market, combining competitive pricing with impressive safety credentials. Its five-star ANCAP rating reflects a well-rounded approach to both crash protection and accident avoidance.
ANCAP testing awarded the EX5 86% for Adult Occupant Protection, 87% for Child Occupant Protection, 83% for Vulnerable Road User Protection and an impressive 85% Safety Assist score.
Testing confirmed good passenger compartment stability during frontal and side-impact crashes, while the SUV’s advanced driver assistance systems performed strongly across a range of scenarios. Standard equipment includes autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, emergency lane keeping and intelligent speed assistance.
Particularly noteworthy is the EX5’s strong Safety Assist performance, placing it among the best-performing affordable EVs for crash avoidance technology. For buyers prioritising both value and safety, the Geely EX5 stands out as one of the segment’s strongest contenders.
MG S5 EV
Starting price: $40,990 (Drive-away)
The MG S5 EV continues MG’s recent trend of delivering affordable electric vehicles without compromising on safety. Positioned as a practical family SUV, the S5 EV offers a reassuring combination of crash protection and advanced driver assistance technology.
ANCAP’s five-star rating reflects strong performance across all major assessment categories. The vehicle benefits from a rigid body structure, multiple airbags, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping systems as standard.
Family buyers will appreciate the vehicle’s focus on occupant protection, while pedestrian and cyclist detection systems enhance safety in busy urban environments. The S5 EV also incorporates MG’s latest active safety technologies designed to reduce collision risk before an accident occurs.
Combined with its affordable pricing and practical interior, the S5 EV represents one of the most accessible pathways into safe electric motoring for Australian families in 2026.
BYD Dolphin
Starting price: $33,415 (Drive-away)
The BYD Dolphin remains one of Australia’s most affordable electric vehicles, yet its safety credentials rival many larger and more expensive rivals. Its five-star safety rating helped establish the model as one of the benchmark entry-level EVs available locally.
Crash testing delivered strong scores across all key categories, including 89% Adult Occupant Protection, 86% Child Occupant Protection, 85% Vulnerable Road User Protection and 77% Safety Assist. The Dolphin performed particularly well in pedestrian and cyclist protection assessments, reflecting the effectiveness of its advanced detection systems. Standard safety equipment includes autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance and intelligent speed assistance.
The combination of strong crash performance and comprehensive active safety technology makes the Dolphin an attractive option for first-time EV buyers seeking maximum value without sacrificing occupant protection or everyday safety.
GAC Aion V
Starting price: $46,180 (Drive-away)
The GAC Aion V enters the Australian market with a strong emphasis on safety, technology and family-friendly practicality. As competition intensifies among affordable electric SUVs, safety performance has become a major differentiator, and the Aion V arrives well equipped.
Its five-star safety rating reflects comprehensive occupant protection and a modern suite of active safety technologies. The SUV incorporates autonomous emergency braking, lane-centering assistance, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise control as standard equipment.
The vehicle’s large footprint and robust structure contribute to strong crash protection performance, while sophisticated pedestrian and cyclist detection systems enhance safety in urban environments.
For buyers seeking a spacious family EV with a strong safety focus, the Aion V delivers a compelling combination of practicality, technology and crash protection that positions it competitively against more established rivals.
Deepal S07
Starting price: $46,990 (Drive-away)
The Deepal S07 has attracted attention for its stylish design and long-range capability, but its safety credentials are equally impressive. The electric SUV achieved a five-star ANCAP rating with particularly strong occupant protection performance.
ANCAP testing awarded the S07 an exceptional 95% Adult Occupant Protection score, placing it among the best-performing vehicles in its class for crash protection. Child Occupant Protection reached 86%, while Vulnerable Road User Protection and Safety Assist scores were 74% and 70% respectively.
Testing highlighted excellent structural integrity and highly effective restraint systems. Standard safety technology includes autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure prevention and driver monitoring systems.
While some rivals deliver slightly higher active safety scores, the S07’s outstanding occupant protection performance makes it a particularly attractive option for buyers who place crash survivability at the top of their priority list.
Leapmotor C10
Starting price: $49,892 (Drive-away)
The Leapmotor C10 demonstrates how rapidly new EV brands are advancing vehicle safety standards. Designed as a family-focused electric SUV, the C10 combines spacious practicality with strong crash protection and a competitive purchase price.
Its five-star ANCAP rating was achieved through balanced performance across all four assessment areas. The SUV recorded 89% Adult Occupant Protection, 87% Child Occupant Protection, 77% Vulnerable Road User Protection and 77% Safety Assist.
ANCAP testing praised the vehicle’s structural integrity and occupant restraint systems, particularly during frontal and side-impact crashes. Standard safety technologies include autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.
While some newer rivals have achieved slightly higher scores in active safety categories, the C10 remains one of the strongest safety performers among affordable electric SUVs, offering Australian families excellent protection and value.
Kia EV5
Starting price: $49,990 (Drive-away)
The Kia EV5 has quickly become one of Australia’s most popular electric SUVs, offering family-friendly practicality alongside the safety reputation that has become synonymous with modern Kia products.
Its five-star ANCAP rating reflects consistently strong performance across occupant protection and active safety assessments. The EV5 achieved 88% Adult Occupant Protection, 86% Child Occupant Protection, 74% Vulnerable Road User Protection and 82% Safety Assist.
Kia’s latest DriveWise safety suite includes autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot collision avoidance, adaptive cruise control, lane following assist and junction collision prevention. ANCAP testing highlighted strong crash structure performance and effective occupant restraint systems. The EV5’s combination of spacious accommodation, proven safety technology and competitive pricing has made it one of the most compelling choices for Australian families transitioning to electric mobility.
Kia EV3
Starting price: $46,990 (Drive-away)
The Kia EV3 brings many of the safety technologies found in larger and more expensive EVs into a compact, affordable package. Designed for urban drivers and smaller families, the EV3 prioritises everyday usability without compromising occupant protection.
Its five-star ANCAP safety rating demonstrates Kia’s commitment to delivering strong safety performance across its entire EV range. The EV3 achieved 83% Adult Occupant Protection, 86% Child Occupant Protection, 78% Vulnerable Road User Protection and 81% Safety Assist.
Standard safety features include autonomous emergency braking, cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-centering technology and intelligent speed assistance. Crash testing confirmed strong occupant protection performance, particularly in side-impact scenarios.
For buyers seeking a smaller electric vehicle with big-car safety credentials, the EV3 delivers one of the most well-rounded safety packages available in the affordable EV segment.
Why do ANCAP safety ratings matter for EV buyers?
As electric vehicles become increasingly mainstream, ANCAP ratings provide buyers with an independent benchmark for evaluating safety performance. Modern EVs are assessed not only on their ability to protect occupants during a crash but also on their capacity to prevent accidents altogether.
Features such as autonomous emergency braking, lane-centering assistance, cyclist detection and intelligent speed assistance now play a crucial role in reducing real-world crash risk. Strong scores across Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection and Vulnerable Road User Protection indicate a vehicle that delivers comprehensive protection for everyone sharing Australian roads.
Final thoughts
Australia’s safest affordable electric cars for 2026 show that buyers no longer need to spend premium-car money to access advanced crash protection and modern driver-assistance technology. Models such as the Leapmotor B10, Geely EX5, Deepal S07 and Kia EV5 demonstrate how strong safety performance is becoming increasingly accessible across the EV market.
For Australian families, commuters and first-time EV buyers, these vehicles offer the reassurance of strong ANCAP performance while delivering the benefits of electric motoring. If safety sits at the top of your buying checklist, each of these EVs deserves serious consideration.
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