ANCAP Safety has released its latest new vehicle safety ratings, including some impressive scores from some new models. Five-star safety ratings tested using ANCAP’s 2023-2025 criteria have been awarded for the new BYD Seal 6 mid-size sedan and wagon (main), the MG4 EV Urban small hatchback and new six-seater Tesla Model Y L. In addition to that, the Skoda Octavia has kept its previous five-star rating in its latest round of safety ratings.

According to ANCAP, the BYD Seal 6 is the leading performer in the latest round of testing, earning the highest Adult Occupant Protection score of 92 per cent, as well as 90 per cent in Child Occupancy Protection, 84 per cent for Vulnerable Road User Protection and 84 per cent for Safety Assist. Available as a sedan and a wagon, the large plug-in hybrid earned strong marks across all four pillars of assessment. In crash tests, protection was good across nearly all critical body regions for both driver and passengers.

The MG4 EV Urban earned five stars with solid results across all pillars, including an 87 per cent score in Adult Occupancy Protection, 85 per cent in Child Occupancy Protection, 85 per cent for Vulnerable Road User Protection and 82 per cent for Safety Assist. Crash protection performance was strong, with good protection across key body regions in both frontal and side impact tests. Its autonomous emergency braking performed well in forward pedestrian and cyclist scenarios.

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The six-seat, three-row Tesla Model Y L has also been awarded five stars, carrying through strong results in Safety Assist (92 per cent) and Adult Occupant Protection (91 per cent). Based on testing of the related five-seat Model Y, additional testing and assessments were undertaken to make sure results were applicable to the longer-wheelbase variant.

According to ANCAP, difficulties were identified with the Model Y L’s child restraint installation in second row seating positions, where many restraints could not be correctly installed due to limitations with top tether routing. In the third row, rearward-facing and forward-facing convertible child restraints could not be easily installed using the ISOFIX anchorages.

Finally, the Skoda Octavia retained its five-star rating following a reassessment of vehicles built from July 2025. It scored 85 per cent for Adult Occupancy Protection, 81 per cent for Child Occupancy Protection and Vulnerable Road User Protection and 82 per cent for Safety Assist.

“These results highlight clear strengths across these models. 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,” said Carla Hoorweg, Chief Executive Officer of ANCAP Safety.

“Buyers now have more choice than ever before. ANCAP star ratings provide independent, rigorous assessments of how well vehicles prevent crashes and protect occupants and other road users in serious crashes – meaning consumers can make an informed choice when it comes to safety. Safety information should always be non-negotiable in any vehicle purchase.”