2026 Mazda CX-5 sets ANCAP safety record, beats Tesla Model 3
The new-generation Mazda CX-5 has broken ANCAP's pedestrian safety record, beating the Tesla Model 3, while the BMW X3, MG S6 EV and Cupra Formentor also score five stars in Australia.
Shane Riley
Key takeaways
- Mazda CX-5 beats Tesla Model 3 on pedestrian safety
- CX-5 rating restores fleet-buyer eligibility in Australia
- BMW X3, MG S6 EV, Cupra Formentor also score five stars
The 2026 Mazda CX-5 has broken ANCAP's record for pedestrian safety, outscoring the Tesla Model 3 to post the highest Vulnerable Road User Protection result under the outgoing testing criteria.
ANCAP gave the new-generation CX-5 a 93% score in that category, ahead of the Model 3's 89%. The family SUV also scored 90% for adult occupant protection, 91% for child occupant protection and 87% for safety assist, with the result applying to every grade.
2026 Mazda CX-5 ANCAP rating explained
The rating carries real weight for fleet buyers. The outgoing CX-5's 2017 ANCAP result expired at the end of 2023, shutting it out of some fleet purchasing criteria. This new result runs until December 2031, putting the Mazda CX-5 back in the running against the Toyota RAV4 and Nissan X-Trail for buyers who need a current rating.
Three more SUVs also score five stars
ANCAP released three other results alongside the CX-5's, though none of these vehicles compete with it directly. Each sits in a different class and price bracket.
The BMW X3 holds a five-star rating covering petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid variants, not the separate electric iX3. This isn't a new car earning a new result. The X3 has been on sale in Australia since December 2024, and this is a re-rating carried out under the same criteria as the CX-5, not an assessment of a new model. It scored maximum points for lane-keep assist.
MG's all-electric S6 EV, a genuinely new model on sale from June 2026, also landed five stars. ANCAP highlighted a 92% adult occupant protection score, crediting a front-end design that reduces risk to occupants of other vehicles in a crash.
The Cupra Formentor picked up an updated result too, replacing its 2021 rating. It covers MY26 examples built for Australia from November 2025, but doesn't extend to the VZ5 or Extreme Package variants.
ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg said Mazda "has considered the safety and protection of occupants and those outside the car" with the new CX-5.
For buyers who need a current ANCAP rating for fleet or novated lease eligibility, the CX-5's result just solved a problem the outgoing model couldn't.
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2026 Mazda CX-5 have a five-star ANCAP rating?
Yes. The new-generation CX-5 scored five stars, including a record 93% for Vulnerable Road User Protection.
Is the BMW X3's five-star rating for a new 2026 model?
No. The X3 has been on sale in Australia since December 2024. Its five-star rating is a re-rating under the same testing criteria as the CX-5, not a new-model result.
How does the Mazda CX-5 compare to the Tesla Model 3 on safety?
The CX-5 scored 93% for pedestrian and cyclist protection, ahead of the Tesla Model 3's 89% in the same category.
Shane Riley
Co-founder & Director
Shane Riley is Co-founder and Director of The Beep based in Melbourne, Australia. He has 20+ years across OEM, leasing and fleet, with experience in vehicle strategy, sales and operations.
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