Tesla Model 3, Kia EV3 and MGS5 EV Get Big Safety Wins

Good news for Aussie EV buyers: the refreshed Tesla Model 3, Kia EV3, and new MG S5 EV have all scored top marks from ANCAP, Australia’s independent crash testing body. That’s 5 stars across the board, highlighting just how far electric cars have come in terms of safety, not just sustainability.

Let’s break down what makes these EVs some of the safest rides on Aussie roads today.

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Tesla Model 3: Still setting the safety standard

Already Australia’s best-selling electric sedan, the refreshed Tesla Model 3 has added another feather to its cap with impressive ANCAP results.

• Adult Occupant Protection: 90%
• Child Occupant Protection: 95% – the highest ever recorded under ANCAP’s latest criteria
• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 89%
• Safety Assist: 88%

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The Model 3 scored full points in both side impact and oblique pole tests, and what really sets it apart is its thoughtful child safety tech. For example, the car can detect if a child is left inside, then automatically activate air conditioning and lower windows—a potentially life-saving feature in Australia’s scorching summers.

It also features an active bonnet that lifts on impact to help reduce injury to pedestrians, which ANCAP confirmed worked under various real-world conditions.

These features are part of the broader refresh Tesla introduced around 18 months ago, and they apply to all newly delivered Model 3s in Australia.

Kia EV3: A smaller SUV with big safety chops

Hot on the heels of its larger EV siblings—the EV5 and EV9—the newly unveiled Kia EV3 has proven it’s just as focused on safety.

• Adult Occupant Protection: 83%
• Child Occupant Protection: 86%
• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 78%
• Safety Assist: 81%

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While it doesn’t include a child detection system on all variants (meaning ANCAP didn’t test that feature), the EV3 still delivers a strong performance for families. If you're looking for a compact electric SUV that doesn't compromise on protection, Kia’s latest entrant is worth a look.

ANCAP’s CEO, Carla Hoorweg, praised the EV3 for continuing Kia’s safety-first approach across its EV range in Australia and New Zealand.

MG S5 EV: A comeback for MG’s safety credentials

MG has had a bit of a mixed track record with ANCAP safety results in recent years, but the new MG S5 EV changes that narrative with a stellar showing:

• Adult Occupant Protection: 90%
• Child Occupant Protection: 86%
• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 82%
• Safety Assist: 79%

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Like the EV3, the S5’s child detection system isn’t available across all variants, so it wasn’t included in testing. But otherwise, MG has clearly made a concerted push to lift its safety game, especially for families and urban commuters.

ANCAP called it an “encouraging sign” and hopes MG carries this safety focus into future models.