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LDV's Terron 9 ute shares testing data with the European version of the all-electric eTerron 9 for five stars, while the Audi Q5 and Omoda 9 were also awarded top marks.
The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has awarded another three new models a maximum five-star safety rating based on overseas testing, but one vehicle features a completely different powertrain than the one assessed.
The 2025 LDV Terron 9 ute, which is currently diesel-powered only in Australia, was awarded a full five-star score based on European testing of the all-electric Maxus eTerron9.
While both models share the same platform, and "ANCAP was provided with technical information and additional test data", both differ in what is under the bonnet.
The LDV Terron 9 features a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine – along with associated ancillary and supporting systems – while the Maxus eTerron 9 has a front storage compartment with a 259-litre cavity.
Weight is also a differing factor, with the Australian LVD Terron 9 tipping the scales at 2400kg and 2495kg in Origin and Evolve form respectively, while the UK-spec eTerron 9 weighs 2880kg according to documentation.
Despite these differences, both share an identical 91 per cent score in the adult occupant protection test, which includes a frontal offset and full width frontal crash tests.
The safety assist assessment was also deemed comparable, with both models notching an 84 per cent result.
However, there are slight differences in test scores between the LDV and Maxus, despite sharing the same overall five-star score.
ANCAP has deemed the Terron 9 safer in the child occupant protection and safety assist tests, awarding the LDV four and two percentage points respectively at 89 and 85 per cent.
Of note, because the Maxus eTerron 9 was crash-tested last year by Euro NCAP, the LDV Terron 9 wears a rating date-stamped for 2024 and expires by 2031.
Meanwhile, the Omoda 9 large plug-in hybrid SUV also achieved top marks, scoring well across all four tests.
The adult occupant protection test yielded the highest result of 90 per cent, followed by the child occupant protection, safety assist, and then vulnerable road user protections tests at 87, 82, and 81 per cent respectively.
Lastly, Audi’s third-generation Q5 family SUV was also given a five-star score, though individual assessments fell short of the Omoda 9.
For adult occupant protection, the Q5 scored 85 per cent, while the child occupant protection test yielded an 86 per cent result.
For vulnerable road user protection and the safety assist category, the Q5 scored 79 and 80 per cent respectively.
Both the Omoda and Audi models were tested this year by Euro NCAP and have valid ratings to the end of 2031.
Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.
