THERE have been mixed results from the latest round of ANCAP safety testing with four-star results awarded to the Suzuki e Vitara and Nissan Qashqai and a five-star score for both the Audi Q3 and Cupra Leon.
The Suzuki e Vitara, assessed under ANCAP’s 2023–2025 protocols, delivered solid performance across most categories but was ultimately limited by its Adult Occupant Protection score, with inconsistent results recorded in full-width crash testing.
The absence of a centre airbag to mitigate head contact in the event of a side impact also counted against the overall rating for the Suzuki e Vitara.
Suzuki Australia general manager Michael Pachota said that while safety is “paramount”, the brand believes its products meet the expectations of buyers, focusing on value despite the lack of current five-star ratings across the range.
By contrast, the new-generation Audi Q3 achieved a five-star rating with strong, consistent results across all key areas of assessment, reflecting the benchmark required to secure top marks under the current regime.
Alongside the new model assessments, ANCAP has also updated ratings for three existing vehicles following specification changes and reassessment.
As such, the Audi A3 and Cupra Leon both retain five-star ratings, continuing to demonstrate strong performance across Adult and Child Occupant Protection, Vulnerable Road User Protection and Safety Assist categories.
However, the Nissan Qashqai has been downgraded to a four-star rating…
While it continues to perform strongly in Child Occupant Protection, its results in other categories were not sufficient to maintain a five-star standing under current criteria.
ANCAP chief executive Carla Hoorweg said the latest results highlight the importance of balanced performance across all safety pillars.
“These outcomes show that higher levels of safety are within reach, and that continued focus on delivering consistent performance across all areas is key to achieving the highest rating,” she said.
A closer look at the latest ANCAP scores across Adult Occupant protection, Child Occupant protection, Vulnerable Road User and Safety Assist categories reveals how the performance of the vehicles assessed.
|
|
Adult Occ. |
Child Occ. |
Road User |
Safety Assist |
|
Audi A3 |
86% |
80% |
76% |
75% |
|
Audi Q3 |
87% |
86% |
80% |
83% |
|
Cupra Leon |
88% |
86% |
82% |
82% |
|
Nissan Qashqai |
78% |
91% |
68% |
62% |
|
Suzuki e Vitara |
77% |
87% |
79% |
71% |
ANCAP says the latest round of vehicle assessments underscores the tightening standards required to achieve a five-star rating, particularly as newer models incorporate more advanced active safety and occupant protection technologies.