ANCAP has awarded five-star safety ratings to six models spanning electric SUVs, light commercial vehicles and compact crossovers, demonstrating manufacturers’ ability to achieve top safety marks across diverse vehicle categories.
The BYD ATTO 1, Nissan Navara, Volvo EX90, Mini Aceman, MG QS and updated Tesla Model Y all secured the top rating in the latest round of assessments, covering vehicles available in the New Zealand market.
The BYD ATTO 1 achieved full points for adult occupant protection in side impact and pole tests despite its compact dimensions, along with maximum scores for child seat installation. The model recorded 82% for adult occupant protection, 86% for child occupant protection, 76% for vulnerable road user protection and 79% for safety assist systems.
The Nissan Navara enters the market with a five-star rating based on crash performance and crash avoidance scoring derived from its corporate twin, the Mitsubishi Triton. The ute achieved 86% for adult occupant protection, 89% for child occupant protection, 74% for vulnerable road user protection and 70% for safety assist.
Tesla’s facelifted Model Y, on sale from May 2025, maintains its five-star rating and achieved the highest safety assist score of 92% among the tested vehicles. This included top marks for autonomous emergency braking junction and crossing, AEB head-on, driver monitoring and lane support systems, alongside strong adult occupant protection at 91% and child occupant protection at 95%.
Strong performance across categories
The Volvo EX90 secured five-star results with 92% for adult occupant protection and 94% for child occupant protection. The large electric SUV features an active bonnet and driver monitoring system with unresponsive-driver intervention that can take control and bring the vehicle to a safe stop when it detects an unresponsive driver.
The Mini Aceman achieved stable crash test structures with good side-impact and oblique pole performance, recording 83% for adult occupant protection and 87% for child occupant protection. The compact crossover demonstrated solid autonomous emergency braking performance for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycles, supported by an active bonnet and effective lane support systems.
The MG QS attained five-star rating with generally good crash test performance, achieving 88% for adult occupant protection and 86% for child occupant protection, though it recorded a weak chest result for a rear passenger in the full-width frontal test.
“These results show that manufacturers are increasingly meeting the requirements of modern safety protocols for a range of vehicles and price points, from the Nissan Navara to large and small electric vehicles,” ANCAP chief executive Carla Hoorweg says.
“Among this interesting mix of vehicles, it is positive to see the diminutive BYD ATTO 1 arrive with a five-star rating. We know occupants of smaller cars are at greater risk due to their physical size, so this rating helps reinforce the benchmark for other manufacturers.”
Hoorweg says the results provide clearer options for fleet operators selecting safer vehicles for employees, demonstrating that five-star safety is achievable across light commercial models and new-generation electric vehicles.
ANCAP also confirmed that the Kia Tasman’s five-star rating now applies to all dual cab variants, excluding X-Line and X-Pro models, following additional technical assessment of 4×2 and cab-chassis variants.
Full results are available at ancap.com.au.
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