Big news for safety-conscious Kiwi drivers – ANCAP has just dropped some impressive ratings that’ll make your next car purchase decision a whole lot easier. Three vehicles have earned the coveted five-star safety badge, but not without a few twists in the tale.
MG 7: The New Kid Nails It
MG’s fresh liftback, the MG 7, has absolutely smashed its safety assessment, delivering the kind of crash protection you’d hope for from a modern family car. The test dummy results were solid across the board, with the car performing particularly well in both frontal and side impact scenarios.
What really sets this one apart is the comprehensive safety tech package that comes standard. We’re talking autonomous emergency braking that can detect pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, basically everyone who isn’t wrapped in a metal box. Add lane keep assist with emergency intervention, intelligent speed assistance, and a driver monitoring system, and you’ve got a car that’s genuinely looking out for you.
The numbers back it up too: 88% for adult occupant protection, 85% for child occupant protection, 80% for vulnerable road users, and 81% for safety assist.
MG ZS: Redemption Story of the Year
Here’s where things get interesting. The MG ZS was handed a somewhat disappointing four-star rating back in December 2024. But MG didn’t just accept it and move on, they went back to the drawing board.
From 4 December 2025 (VIN LSJWS4395TZ074065 onwards), Australian and New Zealand-built MG ZS models now feature a centre airbag. This seemingly simple addition makes a massive difference in far-side impact crashes – you know, when your car gets T-boned and occupants get thrown across the cabin.
The result? The Adult Occupant Protection score jumped to 81%, catapulting the ZS into five-star territory. Final scores stand at 81% adult, 84% child, 73% vulnerable road users, and 79% safety assist.
ANCAP’s CEO Carla Hoorweg gave credit where it’s due: “ANCAP encourages safety improvements from all manufacturers as part of their ongoing design updates, and MG should be commended for proactively making improvements to the ZS”.
GWM Haval H7: Five Stars… With a Catch
The GWM Haval H7 also secured five stars, demonstrating solid crash protection and impressive safety tech. The SUV delivered stable occupant protection in both frontal and side impacts, with particularly strong side impact results. Child protection and safety assist features met five-star requirements comfortably.
The scores are impressive: 89% adult occupant protection, 91% child occupant protection, 81% vulnerable road users, and 80% safety assist.
But here’s the kicker – during full-width frontal crash testing, ANCAP observed something unexpected: the driver’s head restraint dislodged from the seat back. Not ideal when your head’s the most valuable thing in the car.
To their credit, GWM immediately initiated a voluntary safety recall for all Haval H7 vehicles sold in Australia. Hoorweg explained: “Ensuring the integrity and performance of fundamental restraint systems is central to ANCAP’s mission. Where our testing reveals unexpected results we work with the vehicle manufacturer to ensure the best safety outcomes for existing and future owners”.
Critical detail for buyers: The five-star rating only applies to Haval H7 vehicles built from 15 October 2025. For earlier models (VINs LGWEFUA60RF800006 to LGWEFUA6XSF802190), the rating only stands once the recall action is completed.
If you own a Haval H7, get yourself to a dealership and sort that recall. Your head will thank you.
Tarmac Takeaway
It’s refreshing to see manufacturers not just meeting safety standards, but actively improving their vehicles when issues arise. The MG ZS upgrade shows that four stars doesn’t have to be the end of the story, while GWM’s rapid response to the head restraint issue demonstrates genuine accountability.
