ANCAP has released a fresh round of safety ratings under its Commercial Van Safety Comparison program. The Kia PV5 Cargo is the headline new entry, scoring 91 per cent or platinum on the assessment. The VW Transporter, together with the related Ford Transit Custom, edged ahead at 93 per cent. The Fiat Scudo, Peugeot Boxer and Fiat Ducato also picked up new gradings in this batch.
The Commercial Van Safety Comparison sits alongside ANCAP's traditional star rating system and is designed for consumers and fleets to compare advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) availability and performance across NA and NB category commercial vans. The ratings matter because fleet procurement decisions increasingly use ANCAP active safety scores as a baseline filter.
What the Kia PV5 91 per cent rating actually means
The Kia PV5 Cargo is about to be released in Australia and is the newest model tested under the program. ANCAP awarded it 91 per cent overall, classifying that as a platinum result. According to ANCAP, the PV5 delivered good performance across the majority of autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane support and speed assistance scenarios.
Where the PV5 lost points was in AEB scenarios involving pedestrians, where performance was rated as adequate rather than good. It also lost points for not being available with automatic braking in reverse. That second omission is notable because the rival VW Transporter does feature reverse AEB, which is part of why it scored higher.
For fleet buyers in last-mile delivery or trades operating around pedestrians, the reverse AEB gap is a real safety consideration. The PV5 is still one of the better-equipped vans on the market, but the omission costs Kia points it should not have given up at this price level.
Volkswagen Transporter leads the platinum tier
The Volkswagen Transporter and the related Ford Transit Custom scored 93 per cent. ANCAP's assessment confirmed good performance across all areas, including reverse AEB. The latest generation Transporter improved on the previous model, which earned only a silver grading when assessed in 2022.
That is a meaningful generational jump for VW. The Transporter is a popular workhorse in Australia and the safety improvement is the kind of result that wins back fleet customers who switched to Toyota or Hyundai products in the previous cycle. It is also a reminder that European manufacturers are still investing heavily in van active safety despite the broader market shift to SUVs.
The Ford Transit Custom shares mechanical and safety architecture with the Transporter under the recent VW and Ford commercial vehicle partnership, hence the matching rating. Ford Australia has been pushing the Transit Custom hard against the Hyundai Staria Load and Toyota HiAce.
Fiat Scudo, Boxer and Ducato results
The Fiat Scudo, recently reintroduced to Australia, scored 67 per cent for a gold active safety rating. The Scudo is equipped with autonomous braking, emergency lane keeping, blind spot monitoring, speed assistance and a driver monitoring system. Performance across these systems was rated as mixed by ANCAP, with reduced overall capability compared to the Kia PV5 and VW Transporter.
The Peugeot Boxer and Fiat Ducato, which share underpinnings, both scored 77 per cent for gold ratings. Their results sit between the Scudo and the platinum vans, making them safer than the entry-level options but not class-leading.
For buyers comparing these vans, the key takeaway is that all the tested vehicles now include AEB, lane keeping, blind spot monitoring, speed assistance and driver monitoring as standard. The differences in rating come down to how well those systems perform under test conditions and whether reverse AEB is included.
Why this matters for Australian fleets and tradies
Fleet operators and tradies are increasingly under pressure to factor active safety scores into purchasing decisions. WorkSafe and insurance providers are starting to use ANCAP active safety as a baseline for fleet eligibility. A platinum rating cuts insurance costs noticeably compared to a gold rating, and unrated vans are becoming harder to insure cost-effectively at scale.
For sole traders and small businesses, the calculation is more practical. Reverse AEB has been one of the most underrated safety features in commercial vehicles. Working around pedestrians and tight job sites makes reverse braking assistance a tangible benefit that pays for itself over a few years.
How to use these ratings when buying
If you are shopping vans now, prioritise the platinum-rated VW Transporter, Ford Transit Custom or Kia PV5 Cargo for routes involving pedestrians or tight loading bays. If you are doing mostly highway running between sites, the gold-rated Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer or Fiat Scudo cover the major active safety basics at lower price points.
Negotiate hard with dealers on platinum-rated vans. The rating is now a selling point manufacturers will lean on. Make sure the headline price reflects what the market will support, not just what the dealer thinks they can extract from a fleet buyer comparing safety scores.
Carseekers tracks commercial van pricing and dealer offers across every Australian state. ANCAP active safety ratings are now table stakes for serious fleet conversations, and the next 12 months will see more rating releases as vans previously untested get put through the program.
Considering finance for your next car? Loanseekers can help you explore car loan options.
The finer details
Your questions answered.
What ANCAP rating does the Kia PV5 have?
The Kia PV5 Cargo scored 91 per cent, classifying it as platinum under ANCAP's Commercial Van Safety Comparison program. It performed well in AEB, lane support and speed assistance tests, but lost points on pedestrian AEB and lacks reverse AEB.
Which van has the best ANCAP active safety rating?
The Volkswagen Transporter and the related Ford Transit Custom share the highest rating at 93 per cent platinum in the latest ANCAP Commercial Van Safety Comparison. Both feature reverse AEB and scored well across every assessed system.
Does ANCAP use the same star rating for vans as for cars?
No. The Commercial Van Safety Comparison runs parallel to the traditional ANCAP star rating program and uses percentage scores categorised as platinum, gold, silver or bronze. It focuses on ADAS systems specifically, rather than overall crash protection.
Is reverse AEB important on a commercial van?
Yes, particularly for last-mile delivery, tradies operating around tight job sites, and any work where pedestrian collision risk is high during reversing. Vans without reverse AEB are more likely to be involved in low-speed reversing incidents that drive up insurance premiums.
When does the Kia PV5 go on sale in Australia?
Kia Australia has confirmed the PV5 Cargo will go on sale shortly, with the ANCAP rating timed to align with the launch. Watch the Kia Australia commercial vehicle range or contact your local Kia commercial dealer for exact delivery timing.
How does the Fiat Scudo compare to the VW Transporter?
The Scudo scored 67 per cent gold while the Transporter scored 93 per cent platinum. The Scudo offers a lower entry price and covers the basic active safety boxes, while the Transporter delivers stronger performance across every assessed system and adds reverse AEB.
