Words: Autocar
Published 2 July 2026
The Mazda CX-5, MGS6 EV, BMW X3 and Cupra Formentor have all landed five-star ANCAP safety ratings under the 2023-2025 testing criteria.
ANCAP chief executive Carla Hoorweg says the results prove there’s a safe pick out there no matter what you’re after or what you’re willing to spend. “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,” she says.
Leading the pack is the new-generation Mazda CX-5, which posted a class-leading 93% score for Vulnerable Road User Protection — the highest recorded under ANCAP’s current protocols. Its collision avoidance tech and front-end design get the credit for cutting the risk of injury to pedestrians and cyclists.
“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,” Hoorweg says.
In the EV camp, MG’s new all-electric MGS6 EV impressed with a 92% Adult Occupant Protection score, backed by solid crash compatibility and frontal/side impact results. “These results demonstrate MG’s ability to deliver a model with very good all-round protection,” says Hoorweg.
The BMW X3 range — petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid alike — also scored full marks for lane-keeping assistance, plus strong motorcycle detection and auto emergency braking results. “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,” Hoorweg says.
Rounding things out, the updated Cupra Formentor also secured five stars — applicable to NZ-bound vehicles built from December 2025.
