Published on Saturday, 28 March 2026 at 3:33:00 PM
ANCAP released a comprehensive What’s new from 2026? update, outlining major enhancements to vehicle testing and star rating criteria designed to deliver safer cars and stronger protection for all road users. The new framework refines crash testing, expands real‑world assessment conditions and introduces clearer scoring across four key stages of safety: Safe Driving, Crash Avoidance, Crash Protection, and Post‑Crash response.
Local Governments are being encouraged to review the updated protocols and use them to guide safer fleet choices and community transport planning. The 2026 standards provide a clear benchmark across driver monitoring, vehicle controls, rollover protection, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) performance, and post‑crash response.
The updated system introduces more realistic crash scenarios, new dummies, improved pedestrian and cyclist protection, and enhanced expectations for electric and hybrid vehicle fire risk management, ensuring safety ratings better reflect real‑world conditions.
Read the full release here; ANCAP’s What’s new from 2026?
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