ANCAP SAFETY has announced five-star safety ratings for two new EVs – the Denza B8 and Hyundai Elexio – following assessment against its 2023–2025 test and rating criteria.
The latest results underscore the continued advancement of active safety systems across the industry, with both models equipped as standard with comprehensive suites of autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and lane support technologies.
Strong active safety performance
Both the Denza B8 and Hyundai Elexio demonstrated mature crash avoidance capability in testing, reflecting the growing baseline of advanced driver assistance systems now available to Australasian consumers.
Hyundai’s all-electric Elexio Medium SUV delivered particularly strong protection for other road users, performing well across AEB scenarios involving vehicles and motorcycles. Following detailed technical evaluation, ANCAP adopted destructive crash test results from the closely related *Kia EV5*, supporting the Elexio’s five-star outcome.
Denza B8 builds on partner model assessment
The five-star rating awarded to the Denza B8 plug-in hybrid was informed in part by testing and assessment previously conducted on its partner model, the Denza B5, which was rated by ANCAP in late 2025.
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Comprehensive technical documentation and comparative test data were reviewed to confirm equivalent safety performance between the two vehicles. Due to design differences at the front of the B8, additional testing was required. This resulted in a Vulnerable Road User Protection score of 75 per cent.
Meeting consumer expectations
ANCAP Chief Executive Officer Carla Hoorweg said the results reflect rising consumer expectations around safety, regardless of powertrain.
“Consumers are expecting increasingly comprehensive safety performance from new vehicles in the market regardless of powertrain. These five-star results demonstrate solid occupant protection combined with advanced crash avoidance technology, providing confidence for families and fleet buyers alike,” Hoorweg said.
The latest ratings further reinforce the growing consistency of five-star safety performance across electric, plug-in hybrid and internal combustion vehicles entering the Australasian market.