Big upgrade for zero star car: 2025 MG5 retested by ANCAP following safety upgrade for cut-price 2025 Hyundai i30, Kia K4, Mazda 3 and Toyota Corolla rival

MG Australia has finally rolled out the safety update to its MG5 small sedan following it receiving a zero-star ANCAP safety rating back in 2023.

The local independent safety authority has now tested this updated model, which went into production from November 2024 and awarded it a three-star rating.

It’s worth noting that MG5 examples built before November 2024 still have a zero-star rating.

This safety update has brought standard features like seatbelt pre-tensioners and load limiters for the front and rear outboard seats, upgraded autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and lane-keep assist, as well as seatbelt reminders for all seats for all models across the line-up.

The pre-update car had a less sophisticated AEB system, and the entry-level MG5 Vibe only featured a seatbelt warning on front seats.

The upgraded MG5 received the following the four areas of ANCAP’s assessment:

Frontal offset and full-width crash tests were conducted to assess the effectiveness of the seat and load limiters, as well as additional whiplash and pedestrian impact tests.

ANCAP noted it saw “enhanced crash performance” in both the frontal offset and full-width tests thanks to the improved restraint systems. Reduced injury risk was noticed for the driver and front passenger, as well as the rear occupants.

The “most significant area of improvement” was noted with the MG5’s active safety capability, mainly due to the enhanced AEB system.

While there is a new lane-keep assist system fitted, ANCAP noted its performance for emergency lane-keep assist was Marginal.

Although the MG5 has picked up a wide range of new safety features with this update, it still lacks a number of commonplace features including blind-spot monitoring and a centre airbag, among others.

“We commend MG for taking the opportunity to elevate the safety performance of the MG5. This upgrade demonstrates important progress,” said ANCAP Chief Executive Officer Carla Hoorweg.

“While this rating is a step up, it’s important that consumers and fleet operators recognise there are still safety limitations with this model, and that there are other vehicles on the market that offer more robust safety performance.”

At this stage MG hasn’t communicated pricing for the updated MG5 sedan line-up.

Thanks to an end of financial year deal, it currently starts at $24,990 drive-away for the MG5 Vibe, and extends to $29,990 drive-away for the MG5 Essence.