ANCAP reveals the safest new vehicles of 2025
Words: Andrew Sluys
The Australasian New Car Assessment Program, or ANCAP, has revealed a list of the safest new vehicles released in 2025, according to its testing protocols.
The top performers across each vehicle category have been revealed, ranging from small cars to utes.
These ratings are achieved through how well the vehicles score across ANCAP’s four pillars of assessment.
These include; Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection, Vulnerable Road User Protection and Safety Assist.
At the top of all ratings was the Tesla Model Y, which also took the top spot in the medium SUV category. It averaged a score of 91 per cent across the four safety pillars.
Next was the Tesla Model 3, which is the safest medium car, according to ANCAP. It averaged 90.5 per cent.
The Volvo EX90 was the safest in the large SUV category, with an average score of 88 per cent.
The MG IM 5 was deemed to be the safest in the large car category, scoring an average of 86 per cent.
Another MG took the small SUV title — the S5 EV, which averaged 84.25 per cent.
The Mini Cooper E was the safest small car with an average score of 83 per cent.
And finally, the updated Toyota Hilux was deemed the safest in the ute category, with an average score of 84.25 per cent.
“ANCAP’s testing continues to reinforce a clear message: the safest vehicles are those designed with safety as a system, not a checklist,” ANCAP Chief Executive Officer, Carla Hoorweg said.
“The top performers this year delivered consistent results across physical crash protection, crash avoidance and vulnerable road user safety, rather than relying on strength in a single area.
“We are also seeing increasing alignment between ANCAP’s test requirements and the safety technologies that genuinely matter on Australian and New Zealand roads. Improvements in autonomous emergency braking, lane support and driver monitoring systems are translating into more robust protection in everyday driving.
“The breadth of top performers this year shows that high levels of safety are achievable across multiple vehicle segments, giving consumers clearer choices when safety is a priority.”
