Toyota Hilux BEV, Subaru EVs earn five stars as BMW small cars fall short

The battery-electric Toyota Hilux has secured a five-star ANCAP safety rating, joining its diesel-powered counterparts, while two new Subaru electric SUVs have also achieved top marks in the latest round of safety assessments.

ANCAP Safety confirmed five-star ratings for the Toyota Hilux BEV, Subaru Trailseeker, and Subaru Uncharted, while the BMW 1 Series and BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe were awarded four-star ratings in the latest round of testing.

The result for the Hilux BEV follows additional crash testing carried out after the electric ute’s introduction. After diesel variants received a five-star ANCAP rating in December 2025, the battery-electric model underwent frontal offset and oblique pole crash tests to assess battery integrity and the safety of its high-voltage electrical systems.

ANCAP said the testing confirmed the electric Hilux delivers comparable safety performance to the diesel range. As a result, all Toyota Hilux variants sold in New Zealand now hold a five-star safety rating.

“In an increasing market of alternative-powered utes, business and private buyers now have another option that balances their safety needs with their powertrain considerations,” said ANCAP chief executive officer Carla Hoorweg.

Subaru’s latest electric SUVs, the Trailseeker and Uncharted, also achieved five-star ratings.

Their assessments were largely based on the related Toyota bZ4X, with ANCAP conducting additional crash tests and evaluations to verify comparable safety performance.

The Trailseeker was recently confirmed for a New Zealand launch and the Uncharted is expected to follow.

“The addition of the Trailseeker and Uncharted to Subaru’s growing electric portfolio sees yet more safe choices for consumers,” Ms Hoorweg said.

While the latest Subaru models and Toyota’s electric ute achieved the maximum rating, BMW’s new-generation 1 Series hatchback and 2 Series Gran Coupe sedan fell just short.

Both vehicles performed strongly in crash avoidance testing, but ANCAP said their overall ratings were limited by mixed results in frontal crash assessments.

The safety authority identified an elevated risk of chest injury for the driver in the Mobile Progressive Deformable Barrier (MPDB) frontal offset test, as well as for both the driver and rear passenger in the full-width frontal test.

ANCAP also noted dashboard structures posed a potential upper-leg injury risk for front-seat occupants during the frontal offset test.

As a result, both BMW models recorded an Adult Occupant Protection score of 78 per cent, narrowly missing the 80 per cent threshold required for a five-star rating.

The BMW 1 Series and BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe ratings are based primarily on testing of the 1 Series, with an additional side-impact test conducted on the Gran Coupe to account for differences in body structure.