The safest cars of 2025

ANCAP reveals the safest new cars released last year

By carsales.com.au

Tesla has topped the charts as the safest new car of 2025.

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), the independent crash test and safety authority, has revealed the list of the highest-rated new cars it evaluated in 2025, with the updated Tesla Model Y medium SUV scoring the highest result.

It was the second time the Model Y achieved this following its arrival in 2022.

The best-selling electric SUV scored 91 per cent for its adult occupant protection, 95 per cent for child occupant protection, 86 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and 92 per cent for its safety assists – a higher average than any other vehicle.

Not surprising considering it shares the same fundamental platform and mechanical components, the Model 3 sedan was not far behind with respective category scores of 90, 95, 89, and 88 – making it the safest passenger vehicle of any size.

Looking at the individual vehicle classifications, the Volvo EX90 was the safest large SUV (90, 94, 82 and 84), the MG IM5 was the highest rated large car (89, 91, 85 and 79), the MG S5 was the best small SUV (90, 86, 82 and 79), the Mini Cooper E was the best performing light or small car (89, 83, 77 and 83) and the new generation Toyota HiLux (84, 89, 82 and 82) took out the ute category.

Interestingly, apart from the HiLux, all the best-in-class vehicles were dedicated electric cars.

“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,” ANCAP chief executive officer Carla Hoorweg said.

“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.”

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