The focus of vehicle safety has shifted.
COVER IMAGE: Robert Bosch (Australia) Pty. Ltd.
In recent years, the advancements made in vehicle
safety have been significant.
Previously, vehicle safety focussed on passive safety
features such as airbags and seat belts but with the
introduction of advanced safety assist technologies...
...the focus has now shifted.
Be guided by the stars.
Since 1992, ANCAP has published crash test results for a
wide range of passenger and light commercial vehicle makes,
models and variants sold in Australia and New Zealand.
The more stars, the better the vehicle performed in ANCAP
tests. To achieve the maximum 5 star ANCAP safety rating,
a vehicle must achieve the highest standards in all tests and
feature advanced safety assist technologies.
What is ANCAP?
Australasia’s leading independent vehicle safety advocate.
The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) provides consumers with transparent information on
the level of occupant and pedestrian protection and collision avoidance capabilities provided by different vehicle
models in the most common types of serious crashes through its star rating program.
ANCAP safety ratings are determined based on a series of internationally recognised crash tests and technology
assessments, with vehicles awarded an ANCAP safety rating of between 1 to 5 stars indicating the level of safety
they provide in the event of a crash as well as their ability, through technology, to avoid a crash.
ANCAP is committed to raising the bar on vehicle safety.
ANCAP is supported by the Australian and New Zealand automobile clubs, Australian Federal, State and Territory
governments, the New Zealand Government, the Victorian Transport Accident Commission, NRMA Insurance and
the FIA Foundation (UK).
ANCAP Member Organisations.
Government of Western Australia
Department of Transport
Chery J1 (2011-onward)
3 star ANCAP safety rating
Why do ANCAP safety ratings matter?
Because when it comes to survival – not all cars are equal.
Structural integrity.
How a vehicle’s shell withstands and channels crash forces away from occupants. This varies substantially
from make to make and model to model. A sound structure is vital when it comes to saving lives.
Safety features.
Built-in safety features such as airbags, seat belts, head restraints and crumple zones help manage the
forces of impact. All are critical features.
Safety assist technologies.
Advanced safety assist technologies (SAT) assist the driver in avoiding or minimising the impact of a crash.
These include electronic stability control (ESC), autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane keep assist
(LKA), blind spot monitoring (BSM) and fatigue monitoring systems (FMS).
Safety
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Safety
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You have twice the chance of being killed
or seriously injured in a 3 star rated car
compared to a 5 star rated car.1
Check the ANCAP safety rating of your
car at ancap.com.au or look for this
ANCAP ‘Stars on Cars’ label at your
local dealership.
1
Safety
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Folksam analysis, 2010.
How will you survive?
Dummies provide vital information about the effects of a crash.
The diagrams below show typical serious injury risk to the driver and passenger in vehicles with
ANCAP safety ratings from 1 to 5 stars, in the frontal offset crash test.
Approximately 45% of all fatal crashes involve a single vehicle. While the laws of physics mean that a larger,
heavier vehicle will have a theoretical advantage in a car-to-car collision with a smaller, lighter vehicle, in single
vehicle crashes – such as with solid fixed objects like a tree or a pole – the extra mass of a larger, heavier vehicle
can work against you.
Safety
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Key to injury diagrams.
Good
Acceptable
Marginal
Poor
Safety
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Safety testing explained.
ANCAP uses a range of internationally recognised crash tests,
undertaken by independent specialist laboratories.
Frontal Offset Test
Side Impact Test
Pole Test
The frontal offset test conducted at
64km/h simulates hitting another car
of the same mass travelling at the same
speed. 40% of the car, on the driver’s side,
makes contact with a crushable aluminium
barrier. Dummies in the vehicle indicate
the likely injuries resulting from the crash
test.
The side impact test consists of running a
trolley into the driver’s side of the vehicle
at 50km/h. The trolley has a crushable
aluminium face to simulate the front of
another vehicle.
In the pole test the car is propelled
sideways at 29km/h into a rigid pole
aligned with the driver’s head. The pole
is relatively narrow, resulting in major
penetration into the side of the car.
Curtain airbags are particularly effective
in reducing the chance of serious head
injury in this type of crash.
In each of the physical tests, dummies
are used to scientifically measure the
various forces on occupants in the crash.
The data gathered is then assessed in
conjunction with a physical assessment
of the vehicle, and a score determined
for each test.
In addition, vehicles must be fitted with
certain safety features and safety assist
technologies. These requirements are
then assessed alongside the physical
crash test scores with an overall score
translated into an ANCAP safety rating
of between 1 to 5 stars.
The higher the score and the greater the
safety inclusions, the more stars.
Pedestrian Test
Whiplash Test
The pedestrian tests are carried out
to estimate head and leg injuries to
pedestrians struck by a vehicle at 40km/h.
These crashes represent about 15% of
fatal crashes in Australia and New Zealand
- as high as 30% in some urban areas.
The whiplash test is conducted in two
parts - a geometric measurement of
the head restraint, and a dynamic test
using the vehicle seat mounted to a test
sled which simulates a rear-end crash
equivalent to a stationary vehicle being hit
at 32km/h.
How are ANCAP safety ratings calculated?
To achieve an ANCAP safety rating - of whichever star
rating level - a vehicle must achieve minimum scores
in each of the physical crash tests and meet minimum
requirements for the inclusion of key safety features and
safety assist technologies (SAT) which can help prevent,
or minimise the impact of, a crash.
The table adjacent outlines the minimum requirements
for each ANCAP safety rating level as they increase from
2015 through until 2017.
Once an ANCAP safety rating is awarded to a vehicle,
it retains that rating in perpetuity as, at the time at
which it was assessed, it achieved all of the necessary
minimum requirements to enable the awarding of that
rating. If improved safety features are added to a rated
vehicle, ANCAP may undertake a re-assessment and
publish a revised rating.
The “Rating Year”, which defines the requirements
against which a vehicle has been assessed, is shown
within the star rating logo for each vehicle.*
Toyota Prius C (2012-onward)
5 star ANCAP safety rating
* For vehicles rated by ANCAP from July 2014.
ANCAP safety rating requirements.
Rating
Year
Minimum
Frontal Offset
Score
(out of 16)
Minimum Side
Impact Score
(out of 16)
Minimum Pole
Score
(out of 2)
Minimum
Combined
Score4
(out of 37)
Minimum
Pedestrian Rating
Minimum
Whiplash Rating
Mandatory SAT1
Minimum
Additional
SAT2
5
Requirements for 5 star ANCAP safety rating
2015
12.5
12.5
1
32.5
Acceptable3
Good
ESC, 3PSB, HPT front & 2nd row seats,
SBR front & 2nd row fixed seats, EBA
3
2016
12.5
12.5
1
32.5
Acceptable
Good
Same as 2015
6
2017
12.5
12.5
1
32.5
Acceptable5
Good
2016 + TT6
6
2015
8.5
8.5
-
24.5
Acceptable3
Acceptable
ESC, 3PSB, HPT front seats, SBR front seats, EBA
3
2016
8.5
8.5
-
24.5
Acceptable3
Good
2015 + HPT 2nd row seats
4
2017
8.5
8.5
1
24.5
Acceptable5
Good
2016 + SBR 2nd row fixed seats, TT6
5
Requirements for 4 star ANCAP safety rating
Requirements for 3 star ANCAP safety rating
2015
4.5
4.5
-
16.5
-
-
ESC, 3PSB
2
2016
4.5
4.5
-
16.5
Marginal3
Acceptable
2015 + HPT front seats
3
2017
4.5
4.5
-
16.5
Acceptable5
Acceptable
2016 + SBR front seats, EBA, TT6
4
1
Requirements for 2 star ANCAP safety rating
2015
1.5
1.5
-
8.5
-
-
ESC
2016
1.5
1.5
-
8.5
-
-
2015 + 3PSB
2
2017
1.5
1.5
-
8.5
Marginal
Acceptable
2016 + SBR front seats, HPT front seats, TT6
3
2015
-
-
-
0.5
-
-
-
-
2016
-
-
-
0.5
-
-
ESC
-
2017
-
-
-
0.5
Marginal
Acceptable
2016 + 3PSB, SBR front seats, TT6
2
Requirements for 1 star ANCAP safety rating
1. Must be standard on the variant being assessed. 2. For additional SAT to score the full value, the particular SAT must be fitted by the manufacturer as standard equipment. SAT fitted by the manufacturer but specified as optional (extra) equipment only scores half
value. 3. Where indicated in the table, vehicles with a seating reference height of 700mm or more may meet one grade less for pedestrian protection (e.g. ‘poor’ instead of ‘marginal’ and ‘marginal’ instead of ‘acceptable’). This concession ceases from 2017.
4. The Combined Score includes up to 3 points for seat belt reminders (1 for driver, 1 for front passenger and 1 for all 2nd row seats - this is separate from the SAT scoring). 5. Vehicles with Autonomous Emergency Braking, with pedestrian protection AEB, can
meet one grade less for pedestrian protection than specified for the Rating Year 2017. “Flat front vehicles” (as defined in EU regulation 78/2009 and the amended GTR-9) may meet one grade less for pedestrian protection for the Rating Year 2017. Pedestrian
protection concessions cannot be combined - the total concession in all cases is a maximum of one grade less. 6. This requirement is not applicable to MA, MB and MC category vehicles since top tether anchorages are a requirement of the Australian Design
Rules. AS/NZS 1754 is not mandated in New Zealand therefore where a New Zealand vehicle does not have top tether anchorages the alternate requirement (for NZ only) is for the vehicle to have ISOFIX lower anchorages (with or without top tether anchorages).
ESC = Electronic stability control; 3PSB = Three-point seat belts for all forward-facing seats; HPT = Head-protecting technology (side airbags); SBR = Seat belt reminders for all fixed seating positions; EBA = Emergency brake assist; TT = Top tether anchorages
for child restraints.
Reaching for the stars.
To encourage the early introduction of new vehicle
safety features and advanced safety technologies promoting continuous improvement in vehicle safety
- ANCAP has been progressively raising the bar since
its formation in 1992.
For example, in 2001 ANCAP introduced minimum
performance requirements for its frontal offset and
side impact tests to achieve a 5 star rating. In
2004, minimum head protection scores in the
pole test were also added. In 2008, electronic
stability control (ESC) became a mandatory 5 star
requirement - well ahead of regulation.
From 2011, the safety requirements across all star
rating levels have increased annually and ANCAP
continues to broaden its suite of physical crash tests
and introduce performance testing of key
life-saving safety assist technologies (SAT).
ANCAP is committed to continuing to
raise the bar on vehicle safety.
First NCAP to introduce
frontal offset test (60km/h);
First test results published
Star ratings introduced;
MoU with Euro NCAP
Pole test introduced
ESC mandatory
for 5 stars
1993
1999
2008
1992
1995
ANCAP founded Frontal offset test speed
increased to 64km/h
2003
2001
Min. scores for
frontal offset &
side impact;
Pedestrian test
introduced
2004
Min. scores for
head protection
in pole test
2011
Whiplash test introduced
Alignment with
Euro NCAP
2012
2018
Annual increases
commence for all
star rating levels
2015-2017
Transition Period:
New tests &
performance
assessments
Advancements.
In recent years, the advancements made in vehicle
safety have been significant. Previously, vehicle
safety focussed on passive safety features such as
airbags and seat belts but with the introduction
of advanced safety assist technologies, the focus
has now shifted to active collision avoidance
technologies.
Manufacturers have developed a range of new SAT
and these are now being included in a wide range of
vehicles. New physical tests and SAT assessments
have also been developed by New Car Assessment
Programs (NCAPs) in other countries, providing
consumers with a greater amount of information
on the comparative level of safety provided by new
vehicles as well as encouraging manufacturers
to include such technologies and structural
improvements.
As a result, ANCAP’s European-based sister
organisation, Euro NCAP has announced significant
changes to its future test program.
ANCAP’s forward plan takes some of these changes
and advancements into account. However given the
rapid pace at which vehicle safety is moving and the
need for NCAPs to acknowledge these advancements,
ANCAP has adjusted its forward plan.
From 2015, ANCAP requirements will align more
closely with Euro NCAP in order to provide consumers
with the best technology and safest cars available.
To 31 December
Transition period
From 1 January
2014
2015-2017
2018
Current ANCAP
policies & protocols
Current ANCAP
policies & protocols
(ANCAP pathway)
Euro NCAP
protocols
OR
&
Use Euro NCAP
results
(Euro NCAP pathway)
Use Euro NCAP
results
Future requirements.
As has occurred since 1999, ANCAP will continue
to publish ANCAP safety ratings based on local tests
and protocols as well as tests and protocols used by
Euro NCAP.
Previously, the safety ratings published by ANCAP
based on Euro NCAP test data were determined
following a process of re-assessment by ANCAP
engineers. From 2015, this re-assessment will no
longer occur with ANCAP safety ratings published as
provided by Euro NCAP.*
This broadened suite of tests will form part of
ANCAP’s overall test regime from 2018.
The current Euro NCAP requirements that will be
recognised by ANCAP during the Transition Period
(2015-2017) are outlined in the following table.
The ANCAP safety ratings published based on Euro
NCAP testing will incorporate additional safety
information obtained through the conduct of new
and updated physical crash tests, and performance
testing of SAT including:
•
•
•
•
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Speed assistance systems (SAS)
Lane support systems (LSS)
Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
* Where the Australasian vehicle is the same.
Euro NCAP requirements.*
2015
2016
Offset frontal impact
8
8
Dynamic tests (frontal)
Full-width frontal impact
8
8
Dynamic tests (side)
16
8
8
2015
2016
24
24
Leg impact
6
6
Head impact
2015
2016
Seat belt reminder
3
3
Speed assistance system
3
3
Side impact (MDB)
8
8
Installation of CRS
12
12
Upper leg impact
6
6
Electronic stability control
3
3
8
8
Vehicle
13
13
AEB (pedestrian)
-
6
LDW / LKA
1
1
Whiplash (front)
2
2
AEB (interurban)
3
3
Whiplash (rear)
1
1
13
13
20%
20%
AEB (city)
3
3
38
38
actual score / (A)
Weighting (C)
Weighted score (D)
2016
16
Side impact (pole)
Maximum score (A)
Normalised score (B)
2015
40%
49
49
actual score / (A)
40%
(B) x (C)
20%
36
42
actual score / (A)
20%
(B) x (C)
20%
actual score / (A)
20%
(B) x (C)
2015
Σ (D)
(B) x (C)
Minimum normalised score (B) for the respective star rating
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2016
Overall score (E)
Min. overall score (E)
80%
80%
75%
75%
65%
65%
70%
70%
75%
75%
70%
70%
60%
60%
50%
55%
60%
60%
65%
65%
50%
50%
30%
30%
40%
40%
40%
40%
50%
50%
30%
30%
25%
25%
20%
20%
20%
20%
40%
40%
20%
20%
15%
15%
10%
10%
10%
10%
30%
30%
* Indicative only - refer to www.euroncap.com for detailed requirements. Euro NCAP requirements for 2017 and beyond are yet to be published.
How does your car rate?
To search individual crash test results for more than 500 different makes and models, learn
more about safety technologies, explore interactive features, watch videos and download
images and media releases visit ancap.com.au
You can also contact us direct at ancap@ancap.com.au
or follow regular updates on Facebook or Twitter.
ANCAP Australasia Limited
PO Box 4041, Manuka ACT 2603
AUSTRALIA
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Subaru Forester (2012-onward)
5 star ANCAP safety rating
ANCAP is Australasia’s leading independent vehicle safety advocate.
Through its safety rating program, ANCAP provides consumers with transparent
information on the level of occupant and pedestrian protection and collision
avoidance capabilities provided by different vehicle models in the most
common types of serious crashes.
ancap.com.au
January 2015
ANCAP recommends 5 star rated vehicles. Accept nothing less.