The new-generation Mazda CX-5, MG MGS6 EV, BMW X3 and updated Cupra Formentor have all earned five-star safety ratings from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), reaffirming their credentials as some of the safest new vehicles available for Australian and New Zealand buyers.
The four SUVs were assessed under ANCAP’s stringent 2023-2025 safety testing protocols, which evaluate a vehicle’s ability to protect occupants, prevent crashes and reduce injuries to other road users. Together, the results highlight the increasing focus manufacturers are placing on crash protection, active safety technology and pedestrian safety across mainstream, premium and electric SUV segments.
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Mazda CX-5 records ANCAP’s highest-ever pedestrian safety score
Leading the latest round of safety assessments is the new-generation Mazda CX-5, which achieved a record-breaking 93 per cent score for Vulnerable Road User Protection, the highest score recorded by ANCAP under its current assessment protocols.
According to ANCAP, the CX-5 impressed with its combination of advanced collision avoidance systems and a front-end design engineered to minimise injuries to pedestrians and cyclists in the event of a collision.
The family SUV also delivered strong crash protection for both adult and child occupants, reinforcing its reputation as one of Australia’s most popular family vehicles.
ANCAP Chief Executive Officer Carla Hoorweg said the latest results demonstrate Mazda’s continued commitment to safety.
“The CX-5 has long been a popular model for families, and buyers of this latest model can be assured that Mazda has considered the safety and protection of occupants and those outside the car.”
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MG MGS6 EV shines in occupant protection
MG’s newest electric SUV, the MGS6 EV, also secured a five-star ANCAP rating, with its strongest performance coming in the Adult Occupant Protection category.
The electric SUV scored an impressive 92 per cent, helped by a front-end structure that ANCAP said is more compatible with other vehicles during a crash, reducing the likelihood of severe impacts.
During testing, the MGS6 EV received full points for driver protection in both full-width frontal and side impact crash tests. Protection for child occupants also proved highly effective in frontal offset and side impact testing.
ANCAP further praised the vehicle’s active safety systems, noting that its collision avoidance technologies performed strongly in protecting vulnerable road users.
Commenting on the results, Ms Hoorweg said: “These results demonstrate MG’s ability to deliver a model with very good all-round protection.”
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BMW X3 combines crash protection with advanced safety technology
The latest BMW X3, including its petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid variants, also received a five-star safety rating after delivering consistently high results across ANCAP’s assessment criteria.
One of the X3’s standout performances came from its lane-keeping assistance system, which achieved maximum scores during testing.
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ANCAP also highlighted the SUV’s ability to detect and avoid motorcycles, along with the effectiveness of its autonomous emergency braking system across a variety of scenarios including:
- Turning intersections
- Head-on collisions
- Rear-end emergency braking situations
Crash testing revealed generally strong occupant protection, although ANCAP noted marginal chest protection for both the driver and rear passenger in certain frontal impact tests.
Despite these observations, the overall performance comfortably met the requirements for a five-star safety rating.
Ms Hoorweg said; “The five-star safety rating for the BMW X3 reinforces that achieving the highest level of safety requires a balance of effective collision avoidance and crash protection features.”
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Updated Cupra Formentor retains five-star status
The refreshed Cupra Formentor has also received a new five-star ANCAP safety rating following updates to the model.
The rating applies to:
- New Zealand vehicles built from December 2025
- Australian-delivered vehicles built from April 2026
Although ANCAP did not release detailed category scores alongside this announcement, the updated Formentor satisfied the latest testing requirements to retain the maximum five-star rating under the current protocols.
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ANCAP says buyers now have more safe choices across every SUV segment
With mainstream, premium and electric SUVs all achieving top safety scores, ANCAP believes consumers now have greater access to highly rated vehicles regardless of their budget or preferred powertrain.
Summing up the latest results, Ms Hoorweg said; “Whether buyers are prioritising an EV or a premium SUV, these latest results confirm there is broad choice for safe picks regardless of brand or price point.”
The latest round of assessments also demonstrates how manufacturers continue to improve vehicle safety not only for occupants but also for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users through increasingly sophisticated driver assistance systems and improved vehicle design.
Buyers considering a new SUV in Australia can now add the Mazda CX-5, MG MGS6 EV, BMW X3 and updated Cupra Formentor to ANCAP’s growing list of five-star-rated vehicles tested under its latest 2023-2025 safety protocols.
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