MG’s Safety Pledge: Five-Star Goal Across the Range
In a bold move toward safety supremacy, MG has announced a commitment to produce five-star ANCAP-rated cars across its entire lineup. The brand acknowledges that, among seven tested models, only four have reached the coveted five-star rating. The company’s management says the focus going forward is not merely compliance but a proactive push to elevate passive safety in every vehicle it sells.
The promise comes as MG outlines a plan to refine the safety architecture of its models, with specific upgrades slated for the ZS crossover and the MG3 and MG5 variants. The overarching message is clear: MG aims to shift from selective success to universal safety leadership, leveraging updates that enhance occupant protection in real-world crashes.
Current ANCAP Ratings: Which MGs Hit Five Stars and Which Don’t
As of now, MG HS, MG RX8, and several other MG models have earned five-star ANCAP ratings, underscoring the brand’s strength in active and passive safety features. However, three models in the current lineup — the compact MG3, the mid-size MG5, and the crossover ZS — have yet to reach the top tier. These results mirror a broader industry reality: achieving five-star status often requires a combination of structural design, multiple airbags, crash avoidance technology, and robust safety standards in the most vulnerable areas of the car.
MG’s leadership has framed the situation as an opportunity to improve rather than a setback. By focusing on upgrades to the models that still trail, MG intends to close the gap between current performance and the five-star benchmark.
Planned Upgrades: ZS to Add Central Side Airbag
One focal point of MG’s upgrade program is the ZS crossover, which will gain a central side airbag designed to protect occupants in side-impact crashes. This addition addresses a critical blind spot in many vehicles and is expected to significantly bolster the ZS’s passive safety rating. The central airbag works in conjunction with existing systems to reduce the risk of injury to both the driver and front-seat passenger during a side collision, a scenario that has historically challenged many compact crossovers.
The upgrade aligns with a broader trend of expanding airbag coverage across model lines, recognizing that more comprehensive protection often translates into better overall ANCAP scores and, crucially, stronger consumer confidence when choosing a family-friendly vehicle.
MG3 and MG5 Upgrades: Lifting Passive Safety to Five Stars
Beyond the ZS, MG plans to upgrade the MG3 and MG5 with enhancements aimed at lifting their passive safety metrics to five-star levels. While the company has not released a full specification sheet, the adjustments are expected to include improvements in restraint systems, structural rigidity, padding and energy absorption zones, and possibly additional protective features around occupants in the event of a crash. These changes are designed to deliver not only higher test scores but real-world protection for drivers and passengers in everyday driving scenarios.
MG has indicated that these upgrades will be rolled out across model years, suggesting a phased approach that can minimize disruption to customers while delivering demonstrable safety gains. If successful, MG3 and MG5 could join MG HS and MG RX8 in the group of five-star performers in ANCAP’s ratings.
MG HS and MG RX8: Already Setting the Standard
While attention is focused on the models needing upgrades, MG’s current five-star lineup—led by the HS and RX8—exemplifies the brand’s capability to build cars that meet stringent safety standards. These models demonstrate MG’s ongoing commitment to high levels of passive safety, advanced restraint configurations, and well-rounded crash protection. For buyers considering MG, this track record provides a solid baseline of safety performance even before forthcoming upgrades take full effect.
What This Means for Buyers and the Market
MG’s five-star safety commitment carries meaningful implications for buyers and the broader market. Prospects can look forward to a safer MG lineup in the near term, with upgrades designed to address the gaps identified by ANCAP testing. The strategy may also intensify competition among mainstream brands to raise safety ceilings, knowing that a credible five-star standard now serves as a differentiator rather than a mere benchmark.
Looking Ahead: Safety as a Core Brand Promise
In summary, MG’s plan to deliver five-star safety across its range signals a shift from selective success to universal reliability. The upcoming updates to the ZS, MG3, and MG5, coupled with the proven five-star performers in the line, position MG as a brand that takes occupant protection seriously. As the upgrades roll out, customers can anticipate not only higher ANCAP scores but tangible improvements in how these vehicles protect people on the road.
