safest small car australia 2023

Asking for the safest small car in Australia in 2023 is like asking which lifesaver has the best whistle—check the scorecard.

Under ANCAP’s 2023 protocols, the BYD Dolphin and MG4 both scored 5 stars, with strong showings for AEB (including junction support), lane keeping and occupant protection.

Old faithfuls like the Mazda 3 and Toyota Corolla also wear 5-star badges, but to earlier test years, so don’t compare apples to watermelons.

Prioritise cars with centre airbags, rear AEB, blind-spot + rear cross-traffic, and solid child-seat fitment results.

Bottom line: several small cars meet top safety marks—pick the one that matches your features and budget, then confirm the exact ANCAP rating year for that variant.