The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has released the safety ratings of two new SUVs Toyota Landcruiser Prado And Kia EV5with both models achieving five-star results.
Tested against the organisation’s strictest criteria yet, the five-star ratings were announced alongside the Suzuki Swift hatchback, which scored one star despite being rated three stars by ANCAP’s European sibling.
The Prado and EV5 became the 24th and 25th cars to achieve the five-star result since the introduction of the 2023-2025 testing criteria.
| Model | Star rating | Adult occupant protection | Protection of children | Protection of vulnerable road users | Safety assistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Landcruiser Prado | 5 stars | 85% | 89% | 84% | 82% |
| Kia EV5 | 5 stars | 88% | 86% | 74% | 82% |
There are hundreds of new car deals available through AutoExpert now. Get the experts on your side and score a good deal. Browse now.
Unlike eight models whose scores were released last week, the Prado, EV5 and Swift were all tested in Australia, rather than ANCAP basing their respective scores on those of Euro NCAP.
For the Prado, ANCAP found good protection for the majority of critical body areas for the driver and passenger during the frontal crash test, but it noted that the driver’s lower leg received only adequate protection and that the chest result was marginal.
It achieved the maximum number of points for the protection of the two child dummies in the second row, leading to a child protection score of fifth place based on the current criteria.
The SUV also performed well in the tests with its active collision avoidance features, which can detect other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.
“The new Toyota Prado delivers a robust level of safety that meets the expectations of fleet buyers and ordinary consumers,” said Carla Hoorweg, CEO of ANCAP.
“This is another strong result, with the new generation Prado demonstrating Toyota’s continued focus on safety across its model range.”
It was noted that the EV5 performed impressively in terms of vehicle-to-vehicle compatibility, with the driver scoring maximum points in the side impact test.
Like the Prado, it achieved maximum points for protecting the two child dummies in the second row during the frontal offset test.
ANCAP said the EV’s safety assistance systems also performed well, with the autonomous emergency braking (car-to-car) and post-crash, multi-collision braking systems cited as highlights.
However, the organization said it discovered a small gap in the footwell seam after the frontal offset test; a reduced level of protection against head-to-head contact for front seat occupants in the inclined pole test; and potential hard knee contact for front seat occupants during the frontal offset test.
Due to these factors, points were deducted from the respective category scores.
Both vehicles, as well as the Suzuki Swift, are currently on sale and in local showrooms.
The Swift received an adult occupant protection score of 47 percent, a child occupant protection score of 59 percent, a vulnerable road user protection score of 76 percent and a safety rating of 54 percent.
That earned it a one-star safety rating, despite Euro NCAP awarding it three stars. ANCAP attributes this to differences in safety specifications between markets.
“Earlier this year, ANCAP was made aware of physical differences between locally supplied Swift models and those supplied in Europe. We therefore carried out a series of additional crash tests on local vehicles and identified some areas of concern,” said Ms Hoorweg.
“Compared to the three-star rating of Swift vehicles sold in Europe, vehicles sold in Australia and New Zealand performed differently in crash tests.
“The design of some structural elements and restraints in locally sold Swift vehicles appears to lack robustness, leading to variation in crash performance.”
MORE: Everything Toyota LandCruiser Prado
MORE: Everything Kia EV5
MORE: Is the new Suzuki Swift unsafe?
MORE: Jeep Avenger gets a three-star safety rating, four stars for the new MG ZS
