The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has revealed the top-performing vehicles for safety that it assessed in 2024.
The Toyota Camry, Mazda CX-80, and Zeekr X earned the top spots, each achieving five-star ANCAP safety ratings based on the 2023-2025 testing protocols.
The rankings were determined using a weighted calculation that emphasises physical crash protection. Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) accounts for 40% of the overall score, while the remaining three areas - Child Occupant Protection, Vulnerable Road User Protection, and Safety Assist - each contribute 20%.
The Toyota Camry (Medium Car, hybrid) earned the highest overall weighted ranking of all vehicles assessed by ANCAP in 2024, receiving an impressive score of 88.4%. The Camry earned a remarkable 95% for Adult Occupant Protection, representing the highest AOP score among all vehicles evaluated in 2024.
Following closely behind was the Mazda CX-80 (Large SUV, petrol/diesel/PHEV) with an overall weighted score of 87.6%. The CX-80 performed well across all four assessment pillars, contributing to its high ranking, and it achieved the second-highest AOP score of 2024 with 92% thanks to it achieving full points in side impact, far side impact, whiplash protection, and oblique pole crash tests.
Rounding out the top three was the Zeekr X (Small SUV, electric), the first offering from new brand entrant Zeekr, achieving an overall weighted score of 87.4%. While still not officially confirmed for New Zealand, Zeekr is widely expected to make a local debut very soon.
ANCAP Chief Executive Officer, Carla Hoorweg acknowledged the influx of new manufacturers in the Australian and New Zealand markets in 2024, saying, "We saw a handful of new manufacturers enter the mix locally in 2024, and each of these – including Zeekr – have shown their commitment to bringing five-star cars to Australian and New Zealand consumers."
Of the 23 vehicles rated by ANCAP in 2024, almost half (11 of 23) were new models not previously available in local markets. With the exception of the Jeep Avenger, all of these new models achieved a five-star rating. Overall, an impressive three-quarters (74%) of all models rated in 2024 received the top five-star rating.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Suzuki Swift received a disappointing one-star safety rating, recording the lowest weighted score of the year at 56.6%, while the Hyundai i30 and Jeep Avenger each achieved three-star ratings, with weighted scores of 68.2% and 68.4% respectively.
A complete list of all vehicles rated by ANCAP in 2024 is available at ANCAP's website
