The Toyota HiLux BEV and Subaru Trailseeker are among the latest models to receive five-star safety ratings from safety authority ANCAP, while two BMW models fell short.
The safety body’s latest round of testing saw the electric Toyota ute – the most expensive HiLux in Australian showrooms, priced from $76,490 before on-road costs – achieve the maximum five-star rating.
The HiLux BEV is the first, and currently only, electric ute to achieve a five-star ANCAP safety rating, with rivals such as the KGM Musso EV and LDV eT60 remaining unrated.
It’s important to note the vehicles tested were evaluated under ANCAP’s outgoing 2023-2025 protocols.
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A new testing regime will be introduced in 2026 by both ANCAP and its European counterpart, Euro NCAP, with models such as the BYD Sealion 5 and BMW iX3 likely to be among the first assessed under the new criteria.
While all diesel-powered versions of the new-generation HiLux, apart from the Rugged X, received a five-star ANCAP rating in December 2025, the arrival of the battery-electric HiLux prompted additional testing specific to the HiLux EV.
In a statement, ANCAP said this included assessments of battery integrity and high-voltage electrical system safety in severe crash scenarios.
Across the four assessment categories, the HiLux scored 84 per cent for adult occupant protection, 89 per cent for child occupant protection, and 82 per cent for both vulnerable road user protection and safety assist.
The two newest Subaru nameplates also achieved five-star ANCAP ratings as part of the latest round of testing.
The Subaru Trailseeker is an electric SUV positioned above the Outback in the brand’s lineup and is sold as the E-Outback in Europe.
ANCAP adopted Euro NCAP’s E-Outback results to award the Trailseeker its five-star rating.
It scored 89 per cent for adult occupant protection, 86 per cent for child occupant protection, 80 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and 82 per cent for safety assist.
The Subaru Uncharted, due in Australia mid-year, shares its platform and electric powertrain with Toyota’s upcoming C-HR+ electric SUV.
As it did with the Trailseeker, ANCAP applied ratings from equivalent Toyota models, including the C-HR+ and bZ4X, which shares its underpinnings with the Subaru Solterra sold in Australia.
The Uncharted scored 88 per cent for adult occupant protection, 86 per cent for child occupant protection, 80 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and 82 per cent for safety assist.
ANCAP’s latest testing also included the petrol-powered BMW 1 Series and BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, both of which received four-star ratings.
The 1 Series scored 78 per cent for adult occupant protection, 86 per cent for child occupant protection, 85 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and 81 per cent for safety assist.
ANCAP said ‘Poor’ performance from the autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems in both BMW models prevented them from achieving a higher rating. The ratings were also affected by a driver monitoring system that lacked distraction and unresponsive-driver intervention functions.
The 2 Series Gran Coupe scored 78 per cent for adult occupant protection, 85 per cent for child occupant protection, 85 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and 81 per cent for safety assist.
MORE: 2026 ANCAP safety protocols are here: What you need to know
MORE: Everything Toyota HiLux • Subaru Trailseeker • Subaru Uncharted • BMW 1 Series • BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe
The Toyota HiLux is the first five-star rated electric ute in Australia while electric Subaru models have also shone, as two BMW petrol models scored only four stars.