The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (A.N.C.A.P.) 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. A.N.C.A.P. 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.
Since 1993, A.N.C.A.P. 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 A.N.C.A.P. tests. To achieve the maximum five-star A.N.C.A.P. safety rating, a vehicle must achieve the highest standards in all tests and feature advanced safety assist technologies.
In 2018, A.N.C.A.P. adopted the Euro NCAP protocols, with the scoring tweaked to the local conditions.
In 2021 A.N.C.A.P. announced that it ratings would expire after six years, and implemented it on 31 December 2022.
Contents
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.
Controversy also arises over the rating system itself focusing on driver safety, rather than the safety of other road users. The 2022 Toyota Hilux attracted 5.71 deaths per 100 crashes, while the 2012 Mazda3 only resulted in 3.1 deaths per 100 crashes, almost half as many pedestrian fatalities. Regardless of this, the HiLux receives a higher ANCAP safety rating. 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.
Member organisations
ACT Justice and Community Safety Directorate
Australian Automobile Association
Australian Government – Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development
Automobile Association of the Northern Territory
FIA Foundation for the Automobile and Society
New Zealand Automobile Association
NRMA
Ministry of Transport (New Zealand)
NZ Transport Agency
Queensland Department of Transport & Main Roads
Royal Automobile Association of South Australia
Royal Automobile Club of Queensland
Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania
Royal Automobile Club of Victoria
Royal Automobile Club of Western Australia
SA Department for Infrastructure & Transport
Tasmanian Department of State Growth
Transport for NSW – Centre for Road Safety
VicRoads
Victorian Transport Accident Commission
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.
Comparison groups
The results are grouped into 18 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
2023–2025
2026-2028
2029+