Why Safety Should Be Your #1 Priority
Australia records over 1,200 road fatalities annually. Choosing a vehicle with a 5-star ANCAP safety rating can significantly reduce your risk of serious injury in a crash. Modern safety technology — from autonomous emergency braking to sophisticated airbag systems — has transformed vehicle safety in the last decade.
The good news: you don't need to spend a fortune to get a safe car. Many vehicles under $35,000 achieve the maximum 5-star rating, proving that excellent safety is accessible at every price point.
Understanding ANCAP Safety Ratings
ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program) tests vehicles across four key areas:
- Adult Occupant Protection — How well the car protects the driver and front passenger in crashes
- Child Occupant Protection — Protection for rear-seated children in child restraints
- Vulnerable Road User Protection — Pedestrian and cyclist protection in the event of a collision
- Safety Assist — Active safety technologies that help prevent crashes (AEB, lane keeping, etc.)
A vehicle must score well across all four areas to achieve 5 stars. A car with excellent crash protection but lacking active safety features will be penalised and may only achieve 3 or 4 stars.
Safest Cars by Category
Safest Small Cars (Under $35k)
Many buyers assume small cars can't be safe. That's a myth. Models like the Mazda3, Toyota Corolla, Hyundai i30, and Kia Cerato all achieve 5-star ANCAP ratings with comprehensive safety suites including AEB, lane keep assist, and blind spot monitoring as standard.
Safest Family SUVs ($35k–$60k)
This is where Australian families are shopping, and safety is typically excellent. The Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson, Subaru Forester, and Mitsubishi Outlander all hold 5-star ratings. For families, look for rear cross-traffic alert, a centre rear airbag, and ISOFIX child seat anchor points in the second row.
Safest Electric Vehicles
EVs tend to perform exceptionally well in crash testing due to their rigid battery floor structure and low centre of gravity. The Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model Y, BYD Seal, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Kia EV6 all achieve 5-star ANCAP ratings with excellent scores across all four assessment areas.
Safest Utes & Trucks
Utes have historically been weaker in safety, but the current generation is much improved. The Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux, and Isuzu D-Max all hold 5-star ANCAP ratings in their current form. Check the specific variant though — some base-model utes lack advanced safety features that are standard on higher trims.
Key Safety Features to Insist On
When shopping for a new car in 2026, these features should be considered non-negotiable:
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) — The single most impactful safety feature. Mandatory for 5 stars.
- Lane Keep Assist — Prevents drift-off-road crashes, a leading cause of fatalities on Australian highways.
- At least 7 airbags — Including a centre airbag between front seats (prevents head contact in side impacts).
- Blind Spot Monitoring — Critical for lane-changing safety, especially in SUVs and utes with limited visibility.
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert — Detects approaching vehicles when reversing out of parking spots.
The Real Cost of Ignoring Safety
Beyond the obvious risk to life, choosing a less safe vehicle can cost you financially:
- Insurance premiums — Insurers charge less for 5-star rated vehicles
- Resale value — Safety ratings increasingly affect second-hand prices
- Running costs — Safer cars with AEB reduce repair costs from minor collisions