Australasian New Car Assessment Program

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) is a car safety performance assessment programme based in Australia and founded in 1993. ANCAP specialises in the crash testing of automobiles sold in Australia and the publishing of these results for the benefit of consumers. ANCAP provides consumers with transparent advice and information on the level of occupant and pedestrian protection provided by different vehicle models in the most common types of crashes, as well as their ability—through technology—to avoid a crash.

Australasian New Car Assessment Program
Formation1993 (1993)
ServicesAutomotive safety assessment
Membership (2015)
23 organisations

Since 1993, ANCAP has published crash test results (as of 2015) for over 515 passenger and light commercial vehicles sold in Australia and New Zealand. Vehicles are awarded an ANCAP safety rating of between one and five stars indicating the level of safety they provide in the event of a crash. The more stars, the better the vehicle performed in ANCAP tests. To achieve the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating, a vehicle must achieve the highest standards in all tests and feature advanced safety assist technologies.

In 2018, ANCAP adopted the Euro NCAP protocols, with the scoring tweaked to the local conditions.[1]

Controversy

ANCAP has been the subject of criticism. Equivalent testing in other markets (such as Euro NCAP and ASEAN NCAP) are regarded by manufacturers as equal to ANCAP, attracting comments regarding the efficacy and usefulness of a tax payer funded safety rating system after the collapse of the Automotive industry in Australia, as each test can cost the equivalent of $750,000 AUD. Additionally questions over the rating system itself have been raised. ANCAP has a focus on driver assistance systems, such as AEB, which are mandatory to achieve five stars. This allows some less-safe cars to attain high-ratings by using cheap electronics.[2]

Controversy also arises over the rating system itself focusing on driver safety, rather then the safety of other road users. The 2022 Toyota HiLux attracted 5.71 deaths per 100 crashes, while the 2012 Mazda 3 only resulted in 3.1 deaths per 100 crashes, almost half as many pedestrian fatalities.[3] Regardless of this, the HiLux receives a higher ANCAP safety rating.[4] Another controversy arises over testing methodology, which has failed to maintain constant throughout testing, resulting in system which cannot be used comparatively over any great length of time.[5]

Member organisations

Testing

The average cost of producing one ANCAP rating is A$750,000 (US$563,909.77).

In 2019–2020, 95% of all new vehicles sold were tested.

In 2023, an underwater safety test will be introduced.[6]

Comparison groups

The results are grouped into 17 increasingly demanding classes:

  • 1993–1994
  • 1995–1998
  • 1999–2000
  • 2001–2002
  • 2003–2007
  • 2008–2010
  • 2011
  • 2012
  • 2013
  • 2014
  • 2015
  • 2016
  • 2017
  • 2018–2019
  • 2020–2022
  • 2023–2024
  • 2025+

References
  1. "ANCAP and EuroNCAP now aligned…". Practical Motoring. 1 January 2018. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  2. Smy, Damion (21 August 2021). "ANCAP: Do we even need it?". Which Car?. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  3. Hatch, Patrick (5 April 2023). "Bigger, dirtier, more dangerous: How 'auto-besity' is a health risk for everyone". Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. Archived from the original on 4 August 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  4. "ANCAP Safety Results". ANCAP. 17 September 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  5. "The hidden tragedy behind our rising road toll". Drive Magazine. Australia: Drive. 7 July 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  6. "ANCAP to test car underwater safety from 2023". 18 July 2022.
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