2023 Ford Ranger, Ford Everest safety: ANCAP 5-star result confirmed

The new-generation 2023 Ford Everest SUV and its ute sibling, the 2023 Ford Ranger – the top performer in the safety section of our recent 2022  dual-cab ute comparison – have both been awarded five-star safety ratings by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).

The five-star ANCAP safety rating applies to all variants of the Everest, and all XL, XLS, XLT, Sport and Wildtrak variants of the Ranger in single-cab, extended-cab (RAP Cab) and dual-cab body styles (including utility and cab-chassis).

UPDATE: There's a small catch to this five-star rating, and that is that all Ranger and Everest models manufactured before August 20, 2022, will require a "minor" Lane-Keeping System (LKS) software configuration update, which will be completed by dealers at the first scheduled complimentary service.

2023 Ford Ranger crash safety rating

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2023 Ford Everest crash safety rating

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All Ranger and Everest models are equipped with dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting curtain airbags, along with a driver and passenger knee airbag.  A front centre airbag is also standard, protecting front seat occupants in side impact crashes.

Both also feature a suite of active collision alert and avoidance systems to prevent or minimise the severity of a crash. Among them are the following:

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In crash testing, both the Ranger and Everest scored well for protection of adult occupants in frontal offset, side impact and far-side impact tests, although a result of ‘marginal’ was assigned for protection in the full width frontal crash test and for the chest of the driver in the oblique pole test.

Likewise, maximum scores were awarded recognising the Good levels of protection offered to child occupants in the frontal offset and side impact crashes.

ANCAP stresses in its report that buyers should be aware of the following, regarding child restraints:

“Most child restraints are legally only able to be used in seating positions where a top tether anchorage point is fitted, and in the case of the Ranger, a top tether anchorage is not fitted in the centre seating position of the second row in double cab variants.  The installation of child restraints in single and extended cab (RAP Cab) variants of the Ford Ranger is also not recommended as there are no top tether anchorages fitted.”

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See Wheels Media's 2022 dual-cab ute comparison for our assessment of the new Ranger's family-friendliness.

Both the Ranger and Everest were penalised in ‘compatibility’ with oncoming vehicles, as most high and heavy vehicles present an increased risk in this regard.

Raptor variants of the Ford Ranger are unrated, and – as Alex Inwood notes in our review of the new Raptor, the hero model’s low-volume production schedule means, Ford isn’t planning to crash-test the Raptor. It will remain officially ‘unrated’ by Australia’s independent safety body.

Ford maintains it’s just as safe as a regular Ranger, however. The Raptor carries exactly the same high level of passive and active safety systems as a Ranger Wildtrak.