ANCAP's Upcoming Changes Could Cause Confusion for Consumers: What to Expect for 2026

The landscape of car safety ratings in Australia is about to undergo a significant change, as new protocols for testing driver assistance systems (ADAS) are expected to come into effect in 2026. While this shift promises to improve vehicle safety assessments, it could also lead to confusion for consumers when it comes to interpreting the star ratings for new cars.

The Role of ADAS in Future Car Safety Ratings

Currently, vehicles in Australia are tested by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) and assigned a safety star rating, with the maximum score being five stars. This rating takes into account various crash tests and safety features, such as airbags, crash-avoidance systems, and more. In recent years, however, ANCAP and its European counterpart, Euro NCAP, have also begun evaluating advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in their assessments.

Since 2020, Euro NCAP has conducted "Assisted Driving Grading" assessments on vehicles, evaluating aspects of ADAS and human-machine interfaces (HMI). For example, the BYD Atto 3 recently received the lowest possible score for its adaptive cruise control, which failed to brake in response to obstacles, despite the vehicle having a five-star safety rating from both Euro NCAP and ANCAP. This discrepancy has raised concerns about how consumers will understand the true safety of a vehicle if one rating is positive and the other negative.

Will the Star Rating System Change?

From 2026 onwards, ANCAP plans to incorporate evaluations of assisted-driving technology into its safety testing. The new protocols will assess factors such as driver engagement, vehicle assistance capabilities, and safety backup features. However, these changes could lead to some confusion, as cars that would have previously received five stars could now receive lower scores if their ADAS systems are found lacking.

David Smitherman, CEO of EVDirect (BYD's Australian distributor), pointed out that having conflicting safety ratings—one for crashworthiness and one for ADAS—could make it difficult for consumers to make informed decisions. Despite meeting Australian testing obligations, Smitherman admitted that the situation is "confusing" for buyers.

What About Overzealous Safety Technology?

Some of the most commonly criticized safety features, such as lane-keep assist, have been designed to meet ANCAP's crash-avoidance requirements but can be overly intrusive in real-world driving situations. These systems sometimes work in ways that annoy or frustrate drivers, rather than providing the intended assistance.

In response, ANCAP has already begun testing the intrusiveness of lane-keep assist technology outside of the normal five-star rating process. This research aims to identify systems that are poorly calibrated, with manufacturers often treating safety technology as a "box-ticking" exercise rather than focusing on real-world usability. Chief Executive Carla Hoorweg emphasized the importance of car manufacturers investing more in R&D to develop safety features that truly assist drivers without causing unnecessary distractions.

Chery’s Response to the Changes

Chery Australia, which has faced criticism for the aggressiveness of its safety features, is already working on improving its technology. The company is listening to consumer feedback and making adjustments based on real-world testing conducted on Australian roads. According to Lucas Harris, Chery Australia’s Chief Operating Officer, it's not ANCAP's fault if safety technology is poorly calibrated, but rather a result of car manufacturers misinterpreting safety requirements.

Harris also urged manufacturers to focus on developing less intrusive safety systems, noting that car makers should put more effort into refining these features to better serve consumers.

Looking Ahead: A More Complex Rating System?

As ANCAP and Euro NCAP adjust their testing protocols to incorporate driver assistance technology, it’s likely that the safety rating system will become more complex. The introduction of new evaluation criteria could lead to situations where a vehicle has a high star rating for crash safety but a lower score for its ADAS features, or vice versa. This dual-layered approach may challenge consumers who are accustomed to seeing a straightforward safety star rating.

Furthermore, as driver attention/distraction technologies evolve, ANCAP has begun examining the effectiveness of these systems, which have also been criticized for being poorly designed or too intrusive. Although ANCAP is still gathering data on these systems, it’s clear that they will play an important role in future safety assessments.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead for Car Safety

The upcoming changes to ANCAP’s safety testing will make cars safer, but they may also leave consumers with more questions than answers. The integration of driver assistance system evaluations will add another layer to the safety rating process, and while it’s a positive step toward improving car safety, it may cause confusion as different aspects of vehicle performance are assessed.

As we approach 2026, it’s essential for both manufacturers and testing authorities to work together to ensure that consumers can easily understand how safe a car truly is—whether it’s through crash tests, ADAS evaluations, or real-world usability. Until then, buyers will need to stay informed about both the star ratings and the specific features that make up these assessments, as the landscape of automotive safety continues to evolve.