ANCAP has released its latest round of safety ratings, assessing five models including the all-electric Suzuki e VITARA and the new-generation Audi Q3, alongside updated results for the Audi A3, Cupra Leon and Nissan Qashqai.
These ANCAP safety ratings for 2026 highlight how the latest crash test results are raising the bar across adult occupant protection, child safety, vulnerable road user protection and driver assistance systems.
Suzuki e VITARA ANCAP safety rating
The Suzuki e VITARA has been awarded a four-star ANCAP safety rating, delivering solid performance across most areas. Its overall result was constrained by its Adult Occupant Protection score, where mixed outcomes were recorded in the full-width frontal test.
The absence of a head-protecting centre airbag, which helps reduce injury risk in side-impact crashes, also impacted its final rating.
| Category | Score |
| Adult occupant protection | 77% |
| Child occupant protection | 87% |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 79% |
| Safety assist | 71% |
Audi Q3 ANCAP five-star safety rating
The Audi Q3 secured a five-star ANCAP safety rating under the latest criteria, with consistent performance across all key assessment areas. Its results reflect a well-rounded safety package aligned with current benchmarks for five-star safety rating ANCAP standards.
| Category | Score |
| Adult occupant protection | 87% |
| Child occupant protection | 86% |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 80% |
| Safety assist | 83% |
Audi A3 and Cupra Leon ANCAP safety ratings
Updated ANCAP safety ratings confirm that the Audi A3 and Cupra Leon continue to hold five-star ratings following specification changes.
Both models maintain strong scores across all categories, reinforcing their position among high-performing small cars in ANCAP crash test results.
Audi A3 scores
| Category | Score |
| Adult occupant protection | 86% |
| Child occupant protection | 80% |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 76% |
| Safety assist | 75% |
Cupra Leon scores
| Category | Score |
| Adult occupant protection | 88% |
| Child occupant protection | 86% |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 82% |
| Safety assist | 82% |
Nissan Qashqai ANCAP safety rating
The Nissan Qashqai has been reassessed to a four-star ANCAP safety rating. While it continues to perform strongly in child occupant protection, its results in other areas no longer meet current five-star thresholds under evolving ANCAP safety standards.
| Category | Score |
| Adult occupant protection | 78% |
| Child occupant protection | 91% |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 68% |
| Safety assist | 62% |
ANCAP highlights rising expectations in crash test performance
ANCAP Chief Executive Officer Carla Hoorweg said the results underline the importance of consistent performance across all areas of assessment.
She noted that while safety levels are improving across the market, achieving a five-star safety rating now requires strong and balanced results in every category rather than isolated strengths.
What do the latest ANCAP safety ratings mean for buyers?
The latest ANCAP safety ratings for 2026 show a widening gap between four-star and five-star vehicles as testing criteria continue to evolve. While models like the Audi Q3 demonstrate that top scores remain achievable, others highlight how even small shortcomings can impact overall ratings in modern crash test assessments.
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