USA Vs Australia 5 star safety ratings based on Crash Tests

## NHTSA 5 Star vs. ANCAP 5 Star Safety Ratings Both NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) and ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program) use a 5-star rating system to assess car safety, but there are some key differences in their criteria: * **Focus:** * NHTSA prioritizes **occupant protection** in frontal, side, and rollover crashes [https://www.nhtsa.gov/](https://www.nhtsa.gov/). * ANCAP focuses on a more **holistic approach** including occupant protection, child occupant protection, pedestrian protection, and safety assist technologies [https://www.ancap.com.au/what-do-the-star-ratings-mean](https://www.ancap.com.au/what-do-the-star-ratings-mean). * **Test Severity:** * ANCAP's tests are generally considered **more stringent** than NHTSA's, with tougher crash simulations and evolving criteria every 3 years to keep pace with safety advancements [https://www.ancap.com.au/what-do-the-star-ratings-mean](https://www.ancap.com.au/what-do-the-star-ratings-mean). * **Technology Integration:** * NHTSA recently began factoring in the presence of certain **crash avoidance technologies** (forward collision warning, lane departure warning) for a higher rating [https://www.nhtsa.gov/](https://www.nhtsa.gov/). * ANCAP already places significant weight on these **advanced safety features** in their overall assessment. **In simple terms:** * A 5-star NHTSA rating means the car excels at protecting occupants in a crash. * A 5-star ANCAP rating indicates a well-rounded safety performer, excelling in occupant protection, child safety, pedestrian safety, and offering advanced driver assistance features. **For car buyers:** * If you prioritize occupant protection from crashes, both NHTSA and ANCAP 5-star ratings are good indicators. * If you desire the most comprehensive safety features, including advanced driver-assistance systems and pedestrian protection, an ANCAP 5-star rating might hold more weight. * Remember, a car's safety rating should be just one factor considered alongside other features and your specific needs.