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Electric cars have dominated as the safest vehicles tested in 2025 by Australia’s independent vehicle safety ratings agency, ANCAP.
The Tesla Model Y, a mid-size SUV, scored the highest rating, followed by another Tesla, the Model 3.
Tesla’s Model Y recorded a strong performance across all areas of occupant protection and active safety technology.
This is the second time the Model Y has taken the lead position, with the pre-facelifted Model Y awarded ANCAP's top performer in 2022.
Coming in third in the ratings was a Volvo EV - the EX90 - a large seven-seater SUV.
Rounding out the top five safest cars of 2025 were two MG EVs – the IM5 and MGS5.
Toyota’s popular HiLux was the strongest performer among the utes tested.
Each year, ANCAP identifies the strongest-performing vehicles based on a weighted sum of scores across four pillars of assessment: adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, vulnerable road user protection, and safety assist.
Last year, the agency saw improvements in autonomous emergency braking, lane support and driver monitoring systems, providing more robust protection in everyday driving.
Top performer | Vehicle category | Adult occupant protection | Child occupant protection | Vulnerable road user | Safety assist |
Tesla Model Y | Medium SUV | 91% | 95% | 86% | 92% |
Tesla Model 3 | Medium Car | 90% | 95% | 89% | 88% |
Volvo EX90 | Large SUV | 92% | 94% | 82% | 84% |
IM 5 | Large Car | 89% | 91% | 85% | 79% |
MGS5 EV | Small SUV | 90% | 86% | 82% | 79% |
Mini Cooper E | Light/Small Car | 89% | 83% | 77% | 83% |
Toyota HiLux | Utility | 84% | 89% | 82% | 82% |
