Mazda 6e and Mercedes-Benz CLA score five stars: So why isn’t ANCAP making a bigger deal about it?
The new Mazda 6e and Mercedes-Benz CLA have both been awarded maximum five-star ANCAP safety ratings following their Australian launches in 2026.
But both ratings are based on testing conducted under the superseded 2023-25 safety protocols rather than the tougher new standards introduced this year by the independent vehicle safety authority.
The unusual situation is the result of an awkward intersection between the introduction of ANCAP’s new 2026-28 protocols and the timing of the two models’ Australian launches.
READ MORE: Toyota HiLux BEV stars in safety tests: Maximum ANCAP rating confirmed as Subaru Trailseeker and Uncharted EVs also score highly
READ MORE: Affordable ANCAP: Two budget buys and a famous EV name score five stars in the latest safety tests
READ MORE: Leapmotor B10 tops Zeekr 7X and Kia EV4 in latest ANCAP testing: Cheapest EV stars against more expensive opposition
The Mazda 6e is now on sale priced from $49,990 plus on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz CLA range starts at $66,500 plus ORCs and the CLA electric from $72,200 plus ORCs.
Both cars were tested by Euro NCAP in Europe in 2025, before the new protocols came into force, but did not go on sale in Australia until 2026.
Their ANCAP ratings have now been published to coincide with their availability in Australia, with both carrying a ‘TESTED 2025’ datestamp.
There has been no official ANCAP media announcement of either result.
ANCAP regularly promotes new crash-test results, but with its 2026-28 protocols now in force it is prioritising media announcements for vehicles assessed against the latest criteria.
Mazda Australia instead issued its own media release announcing the 6e’s five-star rating.
The release did not explain that the 6e had been assessed under the superseded 2023-25 protocols or that it carries a 2025 test datestamp.
Asked by EV Central why that distinction was not made clear, Mazda said: “We linked to the ANCAP website in the press release, which has the relevant details.”
There is no suggestion the Mazda 6e is unsafe or that its five-star rating is invalid.
The 2023-25 protocols were already demanding and the Mazda performed strongly, scoring 93 per cent for Adult Occupant Protection, 93 per cent for Child Occupant Protection, 74 per cent for Vulnerable Road User Protection and 79 per cent for Safety Assist.
The Mazda 6e was tested by Euro NCAP using a left-hand-drive model equipped with the 68.8kWh battery. ANCAP subsequently assessed that result as applicable to the right-hand-drive GT and Atenza variants sold in Australia.
ANCAP’s technical report confirms the tested vehicle was a “Mazda 6e 68.8 kWh LHD” and that the rating was assessed against the 2023-25 criteria.
The Mercedes-Benz CLA is in much the same situation.
It went on sale in Australia in May 2026 and its ANCAP rating was published in August, but its five-star result is also based on Euro NCAP testing conducted under the 2023-25 protocols.
ANCAP’s Australian assessment gives the CLA 94 per cent for Adult Occupant Protection, 88 per cent for Child Occupant Protection, 93 per cent for Vulnerable Road User Protection and 85 per cent for Safety Assist.
The physical Euro NCAP testing was conducted using a left-hand-drive electric CLA 250+ AMG-Line.
It was an exceptional result under those protocols, with Euro NCAP subsequently naming the CLA its Best Performer of 2025.
Mercedes-Benz Australia has not issued a media release announcing the CLA’s Australian ANCAP rating and does not intend to.
The Mazda’s results stack up strongly against other EVs assessed under the same 2023-25 protocols.
Its 93 per cent Adult Occupant Protection score is only one percentage point behind the CLA and equals the Leapmotor B10, while also bettering the Zeekr 7X, Tesla Model 3, MGS5 EV, Kia EV4 and Kia EV3.
Its 93 per cent Child Occupant Protection score is also among the stronger results recorded under the same protocol window.
Its 93 per cent Adult Occupant Protection result is only one percentage point behind the CLA’s 94 per cent and equals the Leapmotor B10, while also bettering the Zeekr 7X, Tesla Model 3, MGS5 EV, Kia EV4 and Kia EV3.
While wearing Mazda styling and branding and receiving Mazda development input, the 6e has substantial Chinese origins.
It was jointly developed by Mazda and long-term Chinese partner Changan Automobile and is manufactured in China by their Changan Mazda joint venture. It draws on Changan electric vehicle and electronic technology and is closely related to the Mazda EZ-6 sold in China.
