MG brings updates to its MG 3 for Australian, NZ and European customers, yet caution still warranted. Suzuki Swift also upgraded to match EU safety spec.

Second-generation MG3 launched in 2024 with improved safety features over its first-gen model, yet testing last year delivered a three-star safety rating.
Subsequent MG 3 design and production updates deliver incremental safety improvements for AUS, NZ and EU customers – and a four-star rating.
Quality concerns remain, with a seat rail failure observed in the latest head-on crash test of MG 3.
Safety specification of Suzuki Swift updated to match that offered to European customers.

ANCAP SAFETY today announces an incremental improvement to the safety specification and performance of MG’s light hatch, the MG 3, resulting in a four-star ANCAP safety rating. The updated rating does, however, come with caution.

The second-generation MG 3, originally launched in Australia and New Zealand in 2024, achieved a three-star ANCAP safety rating when tested last year. While it offered improved safety specification over its first-generation predecessor, the 2024 model held limitations in driver, front passenger and rear passenger protection, and collision avoidance performance.

A production change in place for MG 3 vehicles on sale from May 2025 sees vehicles now sold in Australia, New Zealand and Europe add a centre airbag positioned between the two front row occupants, a driver monitoring system, and improved collision avoidance capability.

With the design and specification changes prompting re-assessment, a fresh round of testing on updated MG 3 vehicles resulted in improved scores for Adult Occupant Protection, Vulnerable Road User Protection, and Safety Assist, elevating refreshed vehicles into four-star territory.

During the frontal offset crash test - which simulates a head-on crash with another vehicle each travelling at 50km/h – the right-side adjuster of the driver’s seat failed, causing it to twist during the crash impact. This movement exacerbated the loads on the driver dummy’s right leg, and protection of that part of the body was rated as Poor. The driver dummy’s head was also observed to ‘bottom out’ the airbag against the steering wheel, and head protection was scored as Adequate.

Both the three-star and four-star vehicles were tested and assessed against current 2023-2025 rating criteria.

“This uplift from three-stars to four-stars is a step in the right direction, yet the seat latch failure is not something we expect to see, and is cause for caution,” said ANCAP Chief Executive, Carla Hoorweg.

“It is clear that MG is trying hard to bring improved products to market. What we want to see, however, is a focus on quality as well as safety. These elements go hand-in-hand.”

“The failure of the seat adjuster increased the risk of injury to the driver. Key vehicle components like this should be able to withstand this typical urban-environment crash. We expect MG to make a running change to rectify the fault, and move to retrospectively fix affected vehicles already in the market.”

Current protocols do not apply penalties for this specific failure beyond the effect on dummy performance. ANCAP, together with its sister organisation, Euro NCAP, will review this aspect of its rating protocols – particularly in situations where manufacturers opt not to rectify or improve failed safety elements.

Suzuki is another manufacturer responding positively by upgrading its safety offering. When the Suzuki Swift was first launched in Australia and New Zealand last year, it carried a lower level of safety specification than the European version, resulting in a one-star ANCAP safety rating.

From August 2025, Suzuki Swift vehicles supplied locally now align with those offered in Europe, lifting their ANCAP safety rating to three stars.

“ANCAP’s role as consumer advocate is to hold manufacturers to account, and where safety deficiencies are seen, to push for improvements that help prevent deaths and reduce serious injuries,” Ms Hoorweg added.

“Suzuki and MG have taken steps in the right direction.”

“Prospective buyers should consider the safety needs of their household, and use the ratings and information available on the ANCAP website to help inform their purchasing decisions,” Ms Hoorweg added.

Details on the updated performance of the MG 3 and Suzuki Swift can be viewed at: