Looking for the safest car on the road? Crash test data reveals a surprising truth: electric vehicles are leading the charge in safety. But here's where it gets interesting: out of the top seven safest vehicles in Australia, six are electric, with Tesla's revamped Model Y taking the crown. This isn't just a trend; it's a revolution in automotive safety.
The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) recently unveiled its 2025 safety rankings, and the results are eye-opening. Electric vehicles (EVs) dominated the list, showcasing their superior performance in protecting both occupants and vulnerable road users like pedestrians. But why are EVs outperforming traditional fuel-powered cars?
ANCAP's rigorous testing evaluates vehicles across four critical areas: adult and child occupant protection, pedestrian safety, and advanced safety assistance features. Tesla's redesigned Model Y excelled in nearly every category, solidifying its position as Australia's safest vehicle—a title it previously held in 2022 with an older model. Following closely behind were Tesla's Model 3, Volvo's EX90 electric SUV, and MG's IM5 electric sedan. Even smaller EVs like the MGS5 EV and Mini Cooper E secured spots in the top six, leaving only one fuel-powered vehicle—the Toyota HiLux ute—trailing at the bottom.
This raises a controversial question: Are traditional fuel-powered cars becoming obsolete in terms of safety? ANCAP chief executive Carla Hoorweg emphasizes that the top performers excelled not just in one area but across the board, from crash protection to crash avoidance. "The safest vehicles treat safety as a holistic system, not a checklist," she explains. Autonomous and semi-autonomous features, such as advanced emergency braking and lane support, played a significant role in these high safety ratings, proving that cutting-edge technology is making EVs safer for everyone.
And this is the part most people miss: EVs inherently have design advantages that boost safety. Aman Gaur, policy head at the Electric Vehicle Council, points out that EVs have a lower center of gravity, reducing the risk of rollovers. Additionally, they don’t carry flammable fuels like petrol or diesel, significantly lowering the risk of fire. These factors, combined with their advanced safety systems, make EVs a smarter choice for safety-conscious drivers.
Despite these advantages, EVs still only accounted for 8.3% of new vehicle sales in Australia in 2025, up from 7.4% the previous year. However, with over 103,000 EVs sold in 2025, their popularity is growing. Gaur believes these crash test results will help dispel lingering myths about EV safety and encourage more drivers to make the switch.
So, what do you think? Are electric vehicles the future of safe driving, or is there still room for improvement in traditional cars? Let us know in the comments below—we’d love to hear your thoughts!
