Let’s take a look at the top overall ANCAP safety performers for 2024, as well as some of the worst performers for the year.
Starting with the top safety scores for the year, the winners are: the Toyota Camry, Mazda CX-80 and Zeekr X.
Each of the top performers achieved five-star ANCAP safety ratings assessed against current 2023-2025 test and rating protocols, with the top three performers determined using an overall weighting calculation.
Emphasis is given to physical crash protection with 40% of the overall weighting calculation applied to Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) and, respectively, 20% applied to the remaining three assessment areas – Child Occupant Protection, Vulnerable Road User Protection and Safety Assist.
The Toyota Camry (Medium Car, hybrid) secured the highest overall weighted ranking of all vehicle models rated by ANCAP in 2024, earning an impressive score of 88.4%.
“The Camry secured top spot in 2024, excelling with a score of 95% for Adult Occupant Protection – the highest AOP score of all vehicles assessed in 2024,” said ANCAP Chief Executive Officer, Carla Hoorweg.
“The Camry remains a stable and reliable choice with a safety pedigree that dates back over 13 years.”
Following in second place was the Mazda CX-80 (Large SUV, petrol/diesel/PHEV) with an overall weighted score of 87.6%. The CX-80 achieved healthy scores across all four assessment pillars, positioning it well in the end-of-year ranking.
“The Mazda CX-80 received the second highest Adult Occupant Protection score of 2024 with 92%. This was assisted by its gaining of full points in the side impact, far side impact, whiplash protection, and oblique pole crash tests,” said Ms Hoorweg.
Rounding out the top three, and only marginally behind that of the CX-80, the all-new brand entrant Zeekr achieved an overall weighted score of 87.4% for its first arrival, the Zeekr X (Small SUV, electric).
“We saw a handful of new manufacturers enter the mix locally in 2024, and each of these – including Zeekr – have shown their commitment to bringing five-star cars to Australian and New Zealand consumers,” said Ms Hoorweg.
Of the 23 vehicles rated by ANCAP in 2024, close to half (11 of 23) were new models not previously known to the Australian and New Zealand markets. Each of these, with the exception of the Jeep Avenger, achieved a five-star result.
Three-quarters (74%) of all models rated in 2024 achieved the top five-star rating.
At the other end of the spectrum, the Suzuki Swift received a disappointing one-star safety rating, recording the lowest weighted score of the year at 56.6%. The Hyundai i30 and Jeep Avenger each achieved three-star ratings, with weighted scores of 68.2% and 68.4% respectively.
“The new year presents an opportunity for manufacturers with upcoming new models to strive for a top ranking, and for models that didn’t achieve the strongest scores in 2024 to use this as an opportunity to enhance safety with future model iterations,” said Ms Hoorweg.
The full list of vehicles rated by ANCAP in 2024 can be viewed at www.ancap.com.au/safety-ratings.
