EVs shine in latest ANCAP safety ratings

ANCAP SAFETY has today confirmed a five-star rating for the fleet-friendly Toyota Hilux BEV, alongside the all-new Subaru Trailseeker and Subaru Uncharted. The BMW 1 Series and BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe receive four-star ratings.

Diesel variants of the Toyota Hilux received a five-star ANCAP safety rating in December 2025. Following the recent introduction of battery-electric Hilux variants, ANCAP conducted frontal offset (MPDB) and oblique pole crash tests on the Hilux BEV. These additional tests assess the battery integrity and safety of the high voltage electrical systems in two severe crash types, and verified that Hilux BEV variants deliver comparable safety performance to their diesel equivalents. As a result, all Toyota Hilux variants - excluding Rugged X - now hold the top safety rating.

“In an increasing market of alternative-powered utes, business and private buyers now have another option that balances their safety needs with their powertrain considerations,” said ANCAP Chief Executive Officer, Carla Hoorweg.

Subaru’s newest nameplates - the Subaru Trailseeker and Subaru Uncharted - have also achieved five-star safety ratings. The ratings for the pair of electric SUVs are largely based on the related Toyota bZ4X, with additional crash tests and assessments undertaken to confirm comparable safety performance.

“The addition of the Trailseeker and Uncharted to Subaru’s growing electric portfolio sees yet more safe choices for consumers,” Ms Hoorweg said.

The BMW 1 Series and BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe have both received four-star ratings. These ratings are based on testing of the 1 Series, with an additional side impact test conducted on the 2 Series Gran Coupe to account for differences in the side structure.

Both BMW models performed well when assessing their crash avoidance capability, however, their overall star ratings were limited by mixed results in the two frontal crash tests, where there was an elevated risk of chest injury for the driver in the MPDB test, and for the chests of both the driver and rear passenger in the full width frontal test. Dashboard structures also posed potential upper leg injury risk to the driver and front passenger in the MPDB test. The BMW 1 Series and BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe both receive an Adult Occupant Protection score of 78%, just shy of the threshold required for five stars (80%).

Full details on the performance of all models assessed by ANCAP can be viewed here.