The all-electric MG S5 EV has officially secured a five-star ANCAP safety rating, marking a significant milestone for MG as it solidifies its position in the competitive electric vehicle market. This top-tier rating, awarded under ANCAP’s stringent 2023–2025 testing protocols, applies to all variants of the MG S5 EV launched in Australia from May 2025, with New Zealand availability expected in July 2025.
The achievement is particularly noteworthy for MG, a brand that has faced scrutiny in the past over inconsistent safety performances across its lineup. The MG 3 has managed only three stars in 2024, and the MG 5 received a concerning zero-star rating in 2023. With this result, the MG S5 EV now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with other recently tested electric vehicles, including the Tesla Model 3 and Kia EV3, both of which also earned five-star ratings.
Breaking down the safety scores
ANCAP’s evaluation of the MG S5 EV revealed strong performance across all key safety categories, with some areas shining brighter than others:
Adult Occupant Protection (90%)
The MG S5 EV delivered “Good” protection for all critical body regions in side-impact collisions while providing “Adequate” chest protection in frontal-offset and oblique pole tests. Even in the demanding full-width frontal test, both front and rear passengers received “Adequate” protection—a reassuring result for potential buyers. Importantly, the passenger compartment was rated stable through these tests.
Child Occupant Protection (86%)
Families will appreciate the MG S5 EV’s robust safety provisions for young passengers. Crash tests demonstrated “Good” protection for both six- and ten-year-old child dummies, with only a single “Adequate” rating for the ten-year-old’s neck in the frontal offset scenario.
Vulnerable Road User Protection (82%)
The MG S5 EV’s Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) system performed well in detecting pedestrians and cyclists, earning a “Good” rating. However, its responsiveness to motorcycles and in reverse-moving scenarios was rated only “Marginal”, indicating room for improvement in future updates.
Safety Assist Technologies (79%)
The vehicle’s suite of advanced driver aids, including AEB, Active Lane Support, Speed Assistance with traffic sign recognition, and a Driver Monitoring system, helped secure a respectable score. While not class-leading, these features ensure the MG S5 EV meets modern safety expectations.
Standard safety equipment
The MG S5 EV comes equipped with several safety features, including:
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Active Lane Support
- Speed Assistance with traffic sign recognition
- Driver Monitoring system
These systems helped the vehicle meet ANCAP’s advanced safety requirements across various testing areas.
What does ANCAP say about this result?
ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg noted the result as a positive step for MG, saying:
“Following a series of mixed safety outcomes for MG in recent times, the addition of this new five-star model is encouraging. It demonstrates the brand’s capability to meet high safety standards.”
This endorsement from ANCAP is a strong vote of confidence, particularly for buyers who may have hesitated over MG’s past safety inconsistencies.
Who should consider the MG S5 EV?
- Safety-conscious buyers on a budget: If MG prices the S5 EV aggressively, its five-star rating makes it a high-value alternative to pricier EVs.
- Families: Strong child protection scores and solid crash performance make it a practical family EV.
- Urban commuters: The strong pedestrian/cyclist AEB is ideal for city driving, though motorcycle riders may want to be cautious.
Final thoughts
The MG S5 EV’s five-star ANCAP rating may not put it ahead of every rival in every category, but it delivers well-rounded protection at what will likely be a competitive price point. For EV shoppers weighing safety, value, and practicality, the MG S5 EV is surely a compelling option.
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