The MG ZS, one of Australia's best-selling small SUVs, has moved up to a full five-star ANCAP safety rating. The previous result was four stars, and the fix came down to a single, targeted change.
What changed
The ZS was held to four stars because Adult Occupant Protection landed at 75 per cent, just under the 80 per cent ANCAP wants for its top mark. MG fitted a front-centre airbag, which stops the front occupants striking each other in a side impact, and Adult Occupant Protection rose to 81 per cent. That lifted the overall rating to five stars. The other scores were already solid: Child Occupant Protection at 84 per cent, Vulnerable Road User at 73 per cent and Safety Assist at 79 per cent. The five-star result applies to MG ZS vehicles built from December 2025, so older stock on a lot may still be the four-star car.
Cartell Assessment
This is the sort of upgrade that matters more than a flashy feature. The ZS sells in big numbers at the sharp end of the market, where a five-star rating is often the difference between a shortlist and a pass. One airbag, a genuine result.
AU Outlook
Check the build date before you sign, because a late-2025 or 2026 build carries the five stars and earlier cars do not. Expect MG's rivals at the cheap end to make sure their own safety scores can stand next to it.
