If you are looking for a new dual cab ute for your family, how do you know which is the safest to put your kids in the back? As a parent, our children's safety is at the forefront of our minds and never more so than when buying our new family car.
- Looking for the top 10 safest family cars for kids as rated by ANCAP?
- Looking for the safest seven-seater SUV for your family as rated by ANCAP?
With lots of new dual cab utes gaining five-star ANCAP ratings, I have put together this helpful list of the top ten safest family utes for kids that have performed best in the new ANCAP crash testing that includes child dummies.
1 – GWM Cannon Alpha- Scores 93% for Child Occupant Protection
The GWM Cannon Alpha is a dual cab Ute with a five star ANCAP safety rating.
GWM Cannon Alpha with a build date of April 2024 onwards, scored 93% for child occupant protection, 46 out of 49 points. In the crash tests, it scored full points for both the dynamic front, dynamic side tests and for child restraint installation and 10 out of 13 for on-board safety features. Making it a currently the fourth safest car for your rear passengers!
ANCAP wrote of the testing:
In the frontal offset and side impact tests, protection of the 10 year and 6 year dummies was GOOD and the GWM Cannon Alpha scored maximum points in both tests.
The GWM Cannon Alpha is fitted with lower ISOFix anchorages and top tether anchorages on the rear outboard seats.
Installation of child restraints in the second row centre seating position is not recommended as there is no top tether anchorage.
A direct child presence detection (CPD) system, which provides an alert when a child left in the vehicle has been detected, is fitted to all passenger seats as standard.
Installation of typical child restraints available in Australia and New Zealand showed that all of the selected child restraints could be accommodated in each of the rear outboard seating positions and full points were scored for this assessment.
NOTE: Installation of child restraints in the second row centre seating position is not recommended as there is no top tether anchorage.
The GWM Cannon Alpha has seven airbags as standard:
Dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting airbags are standard. A centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes is also standard.
There are also pretensioner seatbelts in both front seats and both outer rear seats and in the GWM Cannon Alpha (these are beneficial once your children are out of fully harnessed child seats).
This ANCAP child restraint fitting chart shows which types of child seats were able to be safely installed in the second-row seats of the GWM Cannon Alpha:
We also have to take the safety of the front passengers into account too when choosing our new family car, and the GWM Cannon Alpha did okay in this, with a score of 33.98 out of 40 or 84% for Adult Occupant Protection with 7.09 out of 8 for the full-width frontal crash test, 3.74out of 8 for the frontal offset crash test, full marks for the side impact test, far side impact test and the rescue and extraction test. It scored 5.76 out of 6 for the oblique pole test and 3.39 out of 4 for whiplash protection.
2 – 2023 Ford Ranger– Scores 93% for Child Occupant Protection & 84% for Adult Occupant Protection
The Ford Ranger Double Cab Ute has the joint highest child occupant protection score of any vehicle crash tested by ANCAP. It can accommodate two child seats with ISOFix and has metal top tether anchors attached to the bodywork behind the second-row seats.
Ford Ranger Double Cab Utes with a build date of July 2022 onwards score a 93% ANCAP score for child occupant protection. In the crash tests, it scored full points for both the frontal offset crash and the side impact test. For restraint installation, the Ford Ranger scored slightly higher with 12 out of 12, than the Ford Everest, which scored 11.66 out of 12. The Ranger and Everest both scored 10 out of 13 for on-board safety features. For now, this makes both vehicles the safest family cars for kids on sale in Australia.
ANCAP wrote of the 2023 Ford Ranger testing:
In the frontal offset and side impact tests, protection of the 10 year and 6 year dummies was GOOD and the Ford Ranger scored maximum points in both of these tests.
The Ford Ranger is fitted with lower ISOFix anchorages and top tether anchorages on the rear outboard seats.
Installation of typical child restraints available in Australia and New Zealand showed that all of the selected child restraints could be accommodated in each of the rear outboard seating positions and full points were scored for this assessment.
NOTE: Installation of child restraints in the centre seating position of the second row in dual cab variants is not recommended as there is no top tether anchorage.
Installation of child restraints in the single and extended cab variants is not recommended as there are no top tether anchorages.
The 2023 Ford Ranger has nine airbags as standard:
Dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting (curtain) airbags for both seating rows, and driver and passenger knee airbags are standard. A centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes is also standard.
There are also pretensioner seatbelts in the first and second-row outer seats (these are beneficial once your children are out of fully harnessed child seats).
The ANCAP child restraint fitting charts below show which types of child seats were able to be safely installed in each row of seats of the 2023 Ford Ranger dual cab ute:
We also have to take the safety of the front passengers into account too when choosing our new family car, and the 2023 Ford Ranger Double Cab Ute scored 84%.
3- Volkswagen Amarok – Scores 93% for Child Occupant Protection & 86% for Adult Occupant Protection
The Volkswagen Amarok is available as a dual cab ute for families and matches the Ranger for child occupant protection while being slightly higher rated for adult occupant protection by ANCAP. It can accommodate two child seats with ISOFix and has metal top tether anchors attached to the bodywork behind the second-row seats.
Volkswagen Amarok with a build date of November 2022 onwards, scored 93% for child occupant protection, 46 out of 49 points. In the crash tests, it scored full points for both the dynamic front and dynamic side tests. The Volkswagen Amarok also got 12 out of 12 for child restraint installation and 10 out of 13 for on-board safety features. Making it a dual cab ute for your rear passengers.
ANCAP wrote of the testing:
In the frontal offset and side impact tests, protection of the 10 year and 6 year dummies was GOOD and the Volkswagen Amarok scored maximum points in both of these tests.
The Volkswagen Amarok is fitted with lower ISOFix anchorages and top tether anchorages on the rear outboard seats.
Installation of typical child restraints available in Australia and New Zealand showed that all of the selected child restraints could be accommodated in each of the rear outboard seating positions and full points were scored for this assessment.
NOTE: Installation of child restraints in the centre seating position of the second row is not recommended as there is no top tether anchorage.
The Amarok has seven airbags as standard:
Dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting (curtain) airbags, and driver and passenger knee airbags are standard. A centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes is also standard.
There are also pretensioner seatbelts in the first and second-row outer seats of the Volkswagen Amarok (these are beneficial once your children are out of fully harnessed child seats).
This ANCAP child restraint fitting chart shows which types of child seats were able to be safely installed in the second-row seats of the Volkswagen Amarok:
We also have to take the safety of the front passengers into account too when choosing our new family car, and the Volkswagen Amarok did reasonably well in this, with a score of 32.98 out of 38 or 86% for Adult Occupant Protection with 7.36 out of 8 for the full-width frontal crash test, 5.27 out of 8 for the frontal offset crash test, full marks for the side impact test and 5.15 out of 5 for the pole test. Scoring 3.19 out of 4 for whiplash protection, full marks for both far side impact and rescue and extraction.
4- LDV Terron 9 – Scores 89% for Child Occupant Protection & 91% for Adult Occupant Protection
The LDV Terron 9 is available as a dual cab ute for families. It can accommodate two child seats with ISOFix and top tether anchorages in the outer back seats.
LDV Terron 9 with a build date of November 2024 onwards, scored 89% for child occupant protection, 44 out of 49 points. In the crash tests, it scored full points for both the dynamic front and dynamic side tests. The LDV Terron 9 also got 12 out of 12 for child restraint installation and 8 out of 13 for on-board safety features. Making it a good dual cab ute for your rear passengers.
ANCAP wrote of the testing:
In the frontal offset and side impact tests, protection of the 10 year and 6 year dummies was GOOD and maximum points were scored in these tests. The LDV Terron 9 is fitted with lower ISOFix anchorages and top tether anchorages on the rear outboard seats. An indirect child presence detection (CPD) system, which provides an alert when a child may have been left in the rear passenger seats of the vehicle, is fitted as standard.
Installation of typical child restraints available in Australia and New Zealand showed that all of the selected child restraints could be accommodated in each of the rear outboard seating positions and full points were scored for this assessment. Installation of child restraints in the second row centre seating position is not recommended as there is no
top tether anchorage.
The LDV Terron 9 has seven airbags as standard:
Dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting airbags are standard. A centre airbag, which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes, is also standard.
There are also pretensioner seatbelts in the first and second-row outer seats of the LDV Terron 9 (these are beneficial once your children are out of fully harnessed child seats).
This ANCAP child restraint fitting chart shows which types of child seats were able to be safely installed in the second-row seats of the LDV Terron 9:
We also have to take the safety of the front passengers into account too when choosing our new family car, and the LDV Terron 9 did well in this, with a score of 36.78 out of 38 or 91% for Adult Occupant Protection with full marks for the full-width frontal crash test, side impact test and far side impact test. Scored 6.19 out of 8 for the frontal offset crash test, 5.63 out of 6 for the pole test. Scoring 3.96 out of 4 for whiplash protection and 3 out of 4 for rescue and extraction.
5- MG U9 Dual Cab Ute- Scores 89% for Child Occupant Protection & 91% for Adult Occupant Protection
The MG U9 is available as a dual cab ute for families. It can accommodate two child seats with ISOFix and top tether anchorages in the outer back seats.
MG U9 Utes with a build date of July 2024 onwards, scored 89% for child occupant protection, 44 out of 49 points. In the crash tests, it scored full points for both the dynamic front and dynamic side tests. The LDV Terron 9 also got 12 out of 12 for child restraint installation and 8 out of 13 for on-board safety features. Making it a good dual cab ute for your rear passengers.
ANCAP wrote of the testing:
In the frontal offset and side impact tests, protection of the 10 year and 6 year dummies was GOOD and maximum points were scored in these tests. The MGU9 is fitted with lower ISOFix anchorages and top tether anchorages on the rear outboard seats. An indirect child presence detection (CPD) system, which provides an alert when a child may have been left in the rear passenger seats of the vehicle, is fitted as standard.
Installation of typical child restraints available in Australia and New Zealand showed that all of the selected child restraints could be accommodated in each of the rear outboard seating positions and full points were scored for this assessment.
Installation of child restraints in the second row centre seating position is not recommended as there is no top tether anchorage.
The MG U9 has seven airbags as standard:
Dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting airbags are standard. A centre airbag, which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes, is also standard.
There are also pretensioner seatbelts in the first and second-row outer seats of the MG U9 (these are beneficial once your children are out of fully harnessed child seats).
This ANCAP child restraint fitting chart shows which types of child seats were able to be safely installed in the second-row seats of the MG U9:
We also have to take the safety of the front passengers into account too when choosing our new family car, and the MG U9 did well in this, with a score of 36.78 out of 38 or 91% for Adult Occupant Protection with full marks for the full-width frontal crash test, side impact test and far side impact test. Scored 6.19 out of 8 for the frontal offset crash test, 5.63 out of 6 for the pole test. Scoring 3.96 out of 4 for whiplash protection and 3 out of 4 for rescue and extraction.
6- Mitsubishi Triton – Scores 89% for Child Occupant Protection & 86% for Adult Occupant Protection
The Mitsubishi Triton Dual Cab Ute can accommodate two child seats with ISOFix and has fabric loop style top tether strap guides behind the second-row headrests that you feed the tethers through to a central metal anchor.
Mitsubishi Triton Dual Cab Utes with a build date of November 2023 onwards, scored 89% for child occupant protection, 44.03 out of 49 points. In the crash tests, it scored full points for both the dynamic front and dynamic side tests. The Mitsubishi Triton Dual Cab Ute also got 11.03 out of 12 for child restraint installation and 9 out of 13 for on-board safety features. Making it a good dual cab ute for your rear passengers.
ANCAP wrote of the testing:
In the frontal offset and side impact tests, protection of the 10 year and 6 year dummies was GOOD and the Mitsubishi Triton scored maximum points in both tests. Dual cab variants of the Mitsubishi Triton are fitted with lower ISOFix anchorages and top tether anchorages on the rear outboard seats. Installation of child restraints in the rear centre seating position of the dual cab is not recommended as there is no top tether anchorage. Installation of child restraints in single and club cab variants is not recommended as there are no top tether anchorages.
A child presence detection (CPD) system is not available.
Installation of typical child restraints available in Australia and New Zealand showed most child restraints could be accommodated in the rear outboard seating positions, however the Type A capsule could not be correctly installed in the rear outboard seating positions using either the seatbelt or the ISOfix anchorages.
Installation of child restraints in the second row centre seating position in dual cab variants is not recommended as there is no top tether anchorage. Installation of child restraints in single and club cab variants is not recommended as there are no top tether anchorages.
The Mitsubishi Triton Dual Cab Ute has eight airbags as standard:
Dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting airbags and a driver knee airbag are standard. A centre airbag, which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes, is also standard.
There are also pretensioner seatbelts in the first and second-row outer seats of the Mitsubishi Triton Dual Cab Ute (these are beneficial once your children are out of fully harnessed child seats).
This ANCAP child restraint fitting chart shows which types of child seats were able to be safely installed in the second-row seats of the Mitsubishi Triton Dual Cab Ute:
We also have to take the safety of the front passengers into account when choosing our new family ute, and the Mitsubishi Triton Dual Cab Ute did reasonably well in this, with a score of 34.64 out of 38 or 86% for Adult Occupant Protection with 6.02 out of 8 for the full-width frontal crash test, 5.63 out of 8 for the frontal offset crash test, full marks for the side impact test and the far side impact test. Scoring 5.89 out of 6 for the pole test and 3.59 out of 4 for whiplash protection and the and 3.50 out of 4 for rescue and extraction.
7- Isuzu D-Max – Scores 89% for Child Occupant Protection & 86% for Adult Occupant Protection
The Isuzu D-Max Dual Cab Ute matches the Amarok for adult occupant protection and dips just below a 90% score for child occupant protection. It can accommodate two child seats with ISOFix and has fabric loop style top tether strap guides behind the second-row headrests that you feed the tethers through to a central metal anchor.
Isuzu D-Max Dual Cab Utes with a build date of July 2022 onwards, scored 89% for child occupant protection, 44 out of 49 points. In the crash tests, it scored full points for both the dynamic front and dynamic side tests. The Isuzu D-Max Dual Cab Ute also got 12 out of 12 for child restraint installation and 8 out of 13 for on-board safety features. Making it a good dual cab ute for your rear passengers.
ANCAP wrote of the testing:
In both the frontal offset (MPDB) and side impact tests, protection was GOOD for all critical body areas for both the 6 year and 10 year child dummies.
The Isuzu D-MAX crew cab is fitted with lower ISOFix anchorages and top tether anchorages on the rear outboard seats. Installation of child restraints in the centre seat of the second row (crew cab variants) is not recommended as there is no top tether anchorage for this position.
Installation of typical child restraints available in Australia and New Zealand showed that all of the selected child restraints could be accommodated in each of the rear outboard seating positions in the crew cab and full points were scored for this assessment.
Installation of child restraints in the single and space cab variants is not recommended as there are no top tether anchorages.
The Isuzu D-Max Dual Cab Ute has seven airbags as standard:
Dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting (curtains) and a driver knee airbag are standard. A centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes is also standard on all variants.
There are also pretensioner seatbelts in the first and second-row outer seats of the Isuzu D-Max Dual Cab Ute (these are beneficial once your children are out of fully harnessed child seats).
This ANCAP child restraint fitting chart shows which types of child seats were able to be safely installed in the second-row seats of the Isuzu D-Max Dual Cab Ute:
We also have to take the safety of the front passengers into account when choosing our new family ute, and the Isuzu D-Max Dual Cab Ute did reasonably well in this, with a score of 33 out of 38 or 86% for Adult Occupant Protection with 7.24 out of 8 for the full-width frontal crash test, 4.77 out of 8 for the frontal offset crash test, full marks for the side impact test and the pole test. Scoring 3.50 out of 4 for whiplash protection and the far side impact test and full marks for rescue and extraction.
8- Mazda BT-50 – Scores 89% for Child Occupant Protection & 86% for Adult Occupant Protection
The Mazda BT-50 Dual Cab Ute Matches the D-Max for all ANCAP scoring as it is much the same vehicle with different styling. It can accommodate two child seats with ISOFix and has fabric loop style top tether strap guides behind the second-row headrests that you feed the tethers through to a central metal anchor.
Mazda BT-50 Dual Cab Utes with a build date of July 2022 onwards score 89% for child occupant protection.
Mazda BT-50 Dual Cab Utes scored 89% for child occupant protection, 44 out of 49 points. In the crash tests, it scored full points for both the dynamic front and dynamic side tests. The Mazda BT-50 Dual Cab Ute also got 12 out of 12 for child restraint installation and 8 out of 13 for on-board safety features. Making it a good dual cab ute for your rear passengers.
ANCAP wrote of the testing:
In both the frontal offset (MPDB) and side impact tests, protection was GOOD for all critical body areas for both the 6 year and 10 year child dummies.
The Mazda BT-50 dual cab is fitted with lower ISOFix anchorages and top tether anchorages on the rear outboard seats. Installation of child restraints in the centre seat of the second row (dual cab variants) is not recommended as there is no top tether anchorage for this position.
Installation of typical child restraints available in Australia and New Zealand showed that all of the selected child restraints could be accommodated in each of the rear outboard seating positions in the dual cab and full points were scored for this assessment.
Installation of child restraints in the single and freestyle cab variants is not recommended as there are no top tether anchorages.
The Mazda BT-50 Dual Cab Ute has seven airbags as standard:
Dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting (curtains) and a driver knee airbag are standard. A centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes is also standard on all variants.
There are also pretensioner seatbelts in the first and second-row outer seats of the Mazda BT-50 Dual Cab Ute (these are beneficial once your children are out of fully harnessed child seats).
This ANCAP child restraint fitting chart shows which types of child seats were able to be safely installed in the second-row seats of the Mazda BT-50 Dual Cab Utes :
We also have to take the safety of the front passengers into account when choosing our new family ute, and the Mazda BT-50 Dual Cab Utes did reasonably well in this, with a score of 33 out of 38 or 86% for Adult Occupant Protection with 7.24 out of 8 for the full-width frontal crash test, 4.77 out of 8 for the frontal offset crash test, full marks for the side impact test and the pole test. Scoring 3.50 out of 4 for whiplash protection and the far side impact test and full marks for rescue and extraction.
9- BYD Shark 6 – Scores 87% for Child Occupant Protection & 85% for Adult Occupant Protection
The BYD Shark 6 is a five seater plug-in-hybrid (PHEV) Dual Cab Ute.
BYD Shark 6 Dual Cab Utes with a build date of September 2024 onwards score 87% for child occupant protection.
The BYD Shark 6 Dual Cab Ute scored 87% for child occupant protection, 43 out of 49 points. In the crash tests, it scored full points for the dynamic front and dynamic side tests and child restraint installation and 7 out of 13 for on-board safety features. Making it a good dual cab ute for your rear passengers.
This is what ANCAP says of their rating:
In the frontal offset and side impact tests, protection of the 10 year and 6 year dummies was GOOD and the BYD SHARK 6 scored maximum points in these tests.
The BYD SHARK 6 is fitted with lower ISOFix anchorages and top tether anchorages on the rear outboard seats. The SHARK 6 is fitted with a Child Presence Detection (CPD) system, with the vehicle able to automatically intervene by activating the air-conditioning to cool down the cabin if an unattended child is detected. The alert sensitivity of this CPD system however does not meet ANCAP’s functional requirements and the SHARK 6 scored zero points for this area of assessment.
Installation of typical child restraints available in Australia and New Zealand showed that all of the selected child restraints could be accommodated in each of the rear outboard seating positions and full points were scored for this assessment.
Installation of child restraints in the second row centre seating position is not recommended as there is no
top tether anchorage.
The BYD Shark 6 Dual Cab Ute has eight airbags as standard:
Dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting (curtains) and a driver knee airbag are standard. A centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes is also standard on all variants.
There are also pretensioner seatbelts in the first and second-row outer seats of the BYD Shark 6 Dual Cab Ute (these are beneficial once your children are out of fully harnessed child seats).
This ANCAP child restraint fitting chart shows which types of child seats were able to be safely installed in the second-row seats of the BYD Shark 6 Dual Cab Utes :
We also have to take the safety of the front passengers into account when choosing our new family ute, and the BYD Shark 6 Dual Cab Ute did reasonably well in this, with a score of 34.37 out of 38 or 85% for Adult Occupant Protection with 6.96 out of 8 for the full-width frontal crash test, 3.68 out of 8 for the frontal offset crash test, full marks for the side impact test, pole test, far side impact and the rescue & extrication testing. Scoring 3.73 out of 4 for whiplash protection. 
10- JAC T9 Dual Cab Ute – Scores 87% for Child Occupant Protection & 85% for Adult Occupant Protection
The JAC T9 is a five seater Dual Cab Ute.
JAC T9 Dual Cab Utes with a build date of January 2024 onwards score 87% for child occupant protection.
The JAC T9 Dual Cab Ute scored 87% for child occupant protection, 43 out of 49 points. In the crash tests, it scored full points for the dynamic front and dynamic side tests and child restraint installation and 7 out of 13 for on-board safety features. Making it a good dual cab ute for your rear passengers.
This is what ANCAP says of their rating:
In the frontal offset and side impact tests, protection of the 10 year and 6 year dummies was GOOD and maximum points were scored in these tests. The JAC T9 dual cab is fitted with lower ISOFix anchorages and top tether anchorages on the rear outboard seats.
Installation of typical child restraints available in Australia and New Zealand showed that all of the selected child restraints could be accommodated in each of the rear outboard seating positions in the dual cab and full points were scored for this assessment.
Installation of child restraints in the rear centre seating position of the dual cab is not recommended as there is no top tether anchorage. A child presence detection (CPD) system is not available.
The JAC T9 Dual Cab Ute has seven airbags as standard:
Dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting airbags are standard. A centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes is also standard.
There are also pretensioner seatbelts in the first and second-row outer seats of the JAC T9 Dual Cab Ute (these are beneficial once your children are out of fully harnessed child seats).
This ANCAP child restraint fitting chart shows which types of child seats were able to be safely installed in the second-row seats of the JAC T9 Dual Cab Utes :
We also have to take the safety of the front passengers into account when choosing our new family ute, and the JAC T9 Dual Cab Ute did reasonably well in this, with a score of 34.29 out of 38 or 85% for Adult Occupant Protection with 7.27 out of 8 for the full-width frontal crash test, 4.30 out of 8 for the frontal offset crash test, full marks for the side impact test, far side impact and the whiplash protection. The pole test scored 5.73 out of 6 and scoring 3.00 out of 4 for rescue & extrication testing. 
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