MG escapes ANCAP controversy with top score for new EV

Following a string of recent ANCAP results that made headlines for the wrong reasons, MG has staged a comeback, securing a maximum five-star safety rating for its new MG4 Urban EV. It was joined by the BYD Seal 6, the three-row Tesla Model Y L, and the Skoda Octavia in achieving a top score in this latest round of assessments. But it wasn't a clean sweep for everyone.

All ratings from the recent batch of results were based on superseded 2023-2025 protocols as these scores were calculated by Euro NCAP last year.

The five-star result for the new MG4 EV Urban – one of Australia’s cheapest EVs – will be a relief to MG Australia, given the Chinese brand has had issues with ANCAP in recent years.

That includes a five-star score for the MG U9 diesel ute, based on the results of the related LDV eTerron 9 EV, the three-star (and since recalled) MG3 and the zero-star (later increased to three stars) MG5.

According to ANCAP, the new MG4 Urban EV delivered solid crash protection performance and good results in forward pedestrian and cyclist autonomous emergency braking (AEB) scenarios, with MG Motor Australia saying the result reinforces the electric hatchback’s positioning as an accessible EV option for Australian buyers.

The freshly launched and sharply-priced BYD Seal 6, available in both sedan and wagon body styles, was the leading performer in this round of results, said ANCAP.

The plug-in hybrid achieved scores of 92 per cent for adult occupant protection, 90 per cent for child occupant protection, 84 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and 84 per cent for safety assist.

In frontal and side-impact crash testing, ANCAP said protection for occupants was ‘good’ across nearly all critical body regions, while strong results during the AEB tests involving pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycles, also impressed.

Meanwhile, the new long-wheelbase Tesla Model Y L was not fully tested to achieve its five-star rating, instead gaining its rating based on the related five-seat Model Y’s result.

ANCAP says it conducted additional assessments to ensure the results applied to the six-seat variant, where it highlighted concerns around child restraint installation.

According to the safety body, difficulties were identified with ISOFIX installation in the third row, while the position of the seats in the second row presented routing limitations for the top tether points, which ANCAP says prevents some restraints from being installed correctly.

Another rating announced this week was the Skoda Octavia, which retained its existing five-star rating for vehicles built from July 2025 onwards.

Its award was based on a reassessment rather than a full round of testing.

ANCAP chief executive officer Carla Hoorweg said the latest results demonstrated strong safety performance across a broad range of vehicle types.

“These results highlight clear strengths across these models,” said Hoorweg.

“The BYD Seal 6 leads the group on Adult Occupant Protection, the Tesla Model Y L tops it on Safety Assist, and the MG4 EV Urban holds its own against both as a small electric car.”

The next step for ANCAP will be the release of results based on its stricter 2026-2028 protocols, which came into effect on January 1.

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