- Annual list of weighted-average safety scores published.
- Safest cars revealed in passenger, SUV and ute catgeories.
- Two brands feature twice in the top 7 vehicles.
Safety sells these days, and the go-to organisation for New Zealand and Australian information is ANCAP. The Australasian New Car Assesement Programme is closely aligned with Euro NCAP and aims to be the "independent voice on vehicle safety". It has 21 members, including NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.
NCAP ratings are hugely influential among consumers and the car industry. Carmakers strive for 5-star ratings and will sometimes make substantial changes to improve vehicle scores if they are not achieved.
NCAP testing involves both passive safety (crashing cars in a laboratory, basically) and analysis of active safety, such as driver assistance features. While detailed scores in various categories are given, the heart of NCAP is a "simple star rating" from 0-5.
But once a year, it compares cars by applying a weighted average of scores across individual tests, to establish a list of its top safety performers in 2025 in various vehicle categories. These tests comprise Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant, Vulnerable Road User and Safety Assist.
“ANCAP’s testing continues to reinforce a clear message: the safest vehicles are those designed with safety as a system, not a checklist,” says ANCAP chief executive, Carla Hoorweg.
“The top performers this year delivered consistent results... rather than relying on strength in a single area."
So yes, according to ANCAP, these are technically the safest new cars, SUVs and utes released last year, in order of their overall scores. All 5 stars, of course.
1. Safest Medium SUV: Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y achieved the highest overall weighted score of any vehicle assessed in 2025, recording strong performance across all areas of occupant protection and active safety technology. We worked that out for ourselves late last year, when we awarded it Safest Car as part of the DRIVEN Car Guide Car of the Year 2025 programme.
This is the second time the Model Y has taken the lead ANCAP position, with the pre-facelifted Model Y awarded ANCAP's top performer in 2022.
2. Safest Medium Car: Tesla Model 3
It stands to reason that the Model 3 would be a top-ranked car too, because the Model 3 and Model Y are essentially the same vehicle underneath. The Model 3 is a sedan, whereas the Model Y is more in the SUV mould.
The Model 3 didn't quite match the Model Y in Occupant Protection (although there was only 1% in it), but predictably the lower-riding sedan scored better in Vulnerable Road User tests.
3. Safest Large SUV: Volvo EX90
Turns out Volvo's reputation for excellent safety still stands. The brand's new pure-electric large SUV scored well not only where you'd expect, in Occupant Protection, but also in pedestrian impact and AEB cyclist tests.
The EX90 is not yet on sale in NZ, but when it arrives: the test scores apply to all models in the range.
4. Safest Large Car: MG IM5
IM is MG's new luxury brand, and while you can't buy the "IM5 Presented by MG Motor" (to give the car its full name) in NZ as yet, it's relevant because it's closely related to the IM6. They're essentially the same car, but the 5 is a large hatchback, while the 6 is a taller SUV.
“The safety ratings for the premium IM5 and IM6 demonstrate MG’s ability to deliver vehicle safety at a high level," said Carla Hoorweg back in October, when the IM ratings were published. "It’s encouraging to see this level of performance, and we hope to see these features carried across the broader MG range."
5. Safest Small SUV: MGS5 EV
Say no more and enter a much more mainstream MG, the S5 EV. Essentially a replacement for the ZS EV, it's a very different car underneath - based on the platform of the highly acclaimed MG4 hatchback.
MG has had a somewhat patchy history with ANCAP, including a 3-star rating for the MG5 (not sold in NZ) and 4 stars for the MG3; but the MGS5 EV excelled in 2025. "We look forward to seeing this level of commitment carry through to future new model releases,” said Hoorweg.
6. Safest Small Car: Mini Cooper E
This standout average applies to the pure-electric Mini Cooper 3dr. That's the Chinese-built version, produced by a BMW and GWM joint venture called Spotlight Automotive. ANCAP has not yet tested the petrol version, which is a different model altogether made in the UK (even though the two look very similar).
The Aceman (another Spotlight model) and Countryman SUV also carry 5-star ratings from ANCAP.
7. Safest Utility: Toyota Hilux
The new Hilux may not be that new underneath that striking "Cyber Sumo" styling, but it really excelled in ANCAP testing last year and achieved the highest average score for any utility vehicle tested.
ANCAP praised the Hilux's performance given it's one of the most popular vehicles on sale in both Australia and NZ, especially in a year of several "highly anticipated new utes" being released.