ANCAP WRAP: Five stars for Mazda CX-5 and BMW X3

ANCAP has awarded four new SUVs its highest five-star safety rating, including the new-generation Mazda CX-5, updated Cupra Formentor, MG S6 EV and BMW X3 – all of which were tested under its outgoing 2023-2025 protocols, which were updated at the start of 2026.

Leading the latest round of ANCAP assessments is the new-generation Mazda CX-5, which achieved a record 93 per cent score for vulnerable road user protection thanks to its strong collision avoidance systems and pedestrian-friendly front end.

The Japanese brand’s volume medium SUV also performed well in occupant protection testing, delivering high levels of safety for both adult (90%) and child (91%) passengers.

“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,” ANCAP chief executive officer Carla Hoorweg said.

Meanwhile, MG’s battery-electric S6 EV’s five-star result was highlighted by a 92 per cent result for adult occupant protection, with ANCAP commending its front-end crash compatibility, reducing the risk to occupants of other vehicles during a collision.

ANCAP said the Chinese EV received full points for driver protection in the full-width and side-impact crash tests, while child (87%) occupant protection and vulnerable road user (84%) collision avoidance systems also delivered strong performances.

An 81 per cent score in the safety assist portion of testing was the result of ‘adequate’ performance in the lane keep assist scenarios, while the driver monitoring system was said to not meet ANCAP’s requirements.

“These results demonstrate MG's ability to deliver a model with very good all-round protection,” Hoorweg said.

Petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid versions of the latest BMW X3 also demonstrated consistently strong performances, scoring 88 per cent for adult occupant protection, 86 per cent for child occupant protection and 81 per cent for its safety assists.

According to ANCAP, the X3 earned maximum scores for its lane keep assist and impressed with its ability to detect and avoid collisions with motorcycles. Its autonomous emergency braking system also performed well across turning, head-on and rear-end crash scenarios.

Crash testing meantime showed good levels of occupant protection, although testers noted marginal chest protection for the driver and rear passenger in some frontal impact tests.

Its lower 77 per cent score in the vulnerable road user protection sector came after mixed results during pedestrian impact testing, with testers noting marginal, weak and poor results around the windscreen pillars and parts of the bonnet.

Meanwhile, the Cupra Formentor received a renewed five-star safety rating, covering Australian-delivered examples produced from April 2026 and New Zealand vehicles built from December 2025.

The Spanish marque’s SUV received a high 91 per cent score in the adult occupant protection portion of testing, despite marginal results for the rear passenger’s chest in the full width frontal test.

Elsewhere, it scored 86 per cent (child occupant protection) and 79 per cent for both its vulnerable road user protection and safety assist.

The latest ANCAP results are based on 2023-2025 protocols, with results based on its newer (and stricter) 2026-2028 protocols likely to roll out later this year.

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