The BMW iX3 has become the first vehicle to achieve a five-star safety rating under ANCAP's new 2026-2028 testing regime, marking the introduction of the organisation's most comprehensive vehicle safety assessment to date.
Introduced this year, the revised criteria expand ANCAP's focus beyond crash protection to assess the full sequence of vehicle safety, from helping drivers avoid collisions through to supporting emergency responders after a crash.
The new framework evaluates vehicles across four "Stages of Safety" – Safe Driving, Crash Avoidance, Crash Protection and Post Crash – reflecting advances in vehicle technology and changing expectations of modern safety systems.
ANCAP chief executive officer Carla Hoorweg said the updated assessment represented the most significant evolution of the safety ratings program in more than three decades.
"Over three decades of ANCAP influence, this is the most comprehensive ratings framework we've applied," Hoorweg said.
"We have again stepped up our assessment to capture and evaluate the many ways a modern car can protect its occupants and other road users."
Hoorweg said the BMW iX3 had demonstrated the capabilities ANCAP was seeking under the revised criteria.
"The BMW iX3 is the first model we've put through this new rating process, and its specification and performance have captured the essence of the new requirements," she said.
While traditional crash testing remains central to the program, the new requirements also assess areas such as fuel leakage, electric vehicle battery integrity and automatic emergency calling (eCall) systems, which can notify emergency services of a vehicle's location and crash severity. Driver monitoring technology and the usability of advanced driver assistance systems are also examined, with ANCAP rewarding systems that support drivers without becoming intrusive.
In ANCAP's assessment, the iX3 demonstrated strong crash avoidance performance, with its autonomous emergency braking system exceeding Australian, New Zealand and European regulatory requirements. The vehicle also recorded maximum scores in side impact testing, while its post-crash systems achieved a 95 per cent score thanks to its eCall capability and effective battery safety management following collisions.
ANCAP said the updated ratings are designed to encourage manufacturers to continue improving safety technology while providing consumers with a more comprehensive picture of how modern vehicles perform before, during and after a crash.