When you choose a new car, what do you pay attention to first? Design, engine power, fuel consumption? What about security? Crash test - this is the only way to objectively assess how well the car will protect you and your passengers in the event of an accident. But how exactly are these tests carried out? Why do some models get five stars, while others barely get three? And can these ratings be trusted?

Many car owners mistakenly think that a crash test is simply smashing the car against a wall. In fact, this is a very complex procedure with dozens of sensors, high-speed cameras and mannequins, the cost of which reaches up to $500 000. The results of these tests directly affect the design of cars: manufacturers are forced to strengthen the body, improve airbags and even change the shape of bumpers to meet the standards. In this article, we will look at how crash tests work, which organizations conduct them, and how to correctly interpret their results when buying a car.

Have you ever wondered why Volvo associated with safety, and some budget models receive low ratings? It's all about crash testing. These tests not only save lives, but also shape the reputation of brands. For example, after Tesla Model 3 got the highest score in tests NHTSA, its sales increased by 20% - buyers trust independent experts more than advertising.

But not all crash tests are created equal. In Europe the same standards apply (Euro NCAP), in the USA - others (NHTSA and IIHS), and in China - third (C-NCAP). Differences in methods can lead to contradictory results: a car that received five stars in Europe may only receive four in America. Why does this happen and who to believe? More on this later.

What is a crash test and why is it needed?

Crash test (from English crash test A crash test is a controlled destruction of a vehicle to evaluate its safety in a crash. The main purpose of such tests is to understand how the car protects passengers in frontal, side or rear impacts, as well as in rollovers.

The first crash tests appeared in 1930s, when engineers began testing the strength of bodies by dropping cars from a crane. Today it is a high-tech process using:

  • 🤖 Dummy crash test dummy (Hybrid III, THOR), equipped with shock, acceleration and deformation sensors
  • 🎥 High-speed cameras (up to 10,000 fps), fixing the slightest deformations
  • 📊 Computer models that simulate accidents before real tests
  • 🔧 Special barriers that imitate other cars, poles and pedestrians

Crash test results are used for:

  • ✅ Vehicle design improvements (e.g. programmable crumple zones)
  • ✅ Development of new safety systems (airbags, seat belts with pretensioners)
  • ✅ Formation of insurance rates (cars with high ratings are cheaper to insure)
  • ✅ Informing buyers (ratings influence demand)

Interesting fact: after stricter requirements Euro NCAP in 2020, many manufacturers were forced to modify models already on the assembly line. For example, Renault Clio received five stars only after strengthening the rear part of the body, which initially showed poor results in the obstacle collision test.

📊 How do you feel about the results of crash tests when choosing a car?
This is the main criterion
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I think it's marketing

Who conducts crash tests: the main organizations and their differences

There are several key organizations around the world involved in vehicle safety testing. Their methods differ, so the same machine can receive different ratings. Let's look at the main ones:

1. Euro NCAP (Europe) - the most famous and strict rating. Rates:

  • 🛡️ Protection for adult passengers (up to 50% from the total score)
  • 👶 Child protection (seats, mountings) ISOFIX)
  • 🚶 Protection of pedestrians and cyclists
  • 🚗 Active safety systems (AEB, LDW)
⚠️ Attention: C 2023 Euro NCAP tightened the requirements for auto braking systems. Now a car cannot receive five stars if it does not recognize cyclists in the dark.

2. NHTSA (USA) - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Their tests include:

  • 💥 Frontal attack on 56 km/h into a stationary barrier
  • 🚗 Side kick on 62 km/h (simulation of a collision with another car)
  • 🔄 Rollover test (stability assessment)

Feature NHTSA: They not only publish star ratings, but also detailed reports of injuries to mannequins, including the risk of damage to internal organs.

3. IIHS (USA) - Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Their tests are considered the most stringent:

  • 🔥 Small overlap test - hit at an angle 25% (simulation of a collision with a pole)
  • 💺 Assessing seats and head restraints in a rear impact
  • 🌃 Headlight tests (their brightness and glare of oncoming drivers)

4. C-NCAP (China) and Latin NCAP (Latin America) - regional programs with adapted standards. For example, in China, more attention is paid to protection in low-speed accidents (up to 50 km/h), since the share of urban accidents is higher there.

Comparison of methods in the table:

Organization Max. front test speed Assessing pedestrians? Electronics requirements (2026)
Euro NCAP 64 km/h Yes (including cyclists) AEB, LDV, character recognition
NHTSA 56 km/h No Only AEB with 2029
IIHS 64 km/h (small overlap) Yes (at night) AEB + lane keeping system
C-NCAP 50 km/h Limited No mandatory requirements

Why is this important to the buyer? For example, Toyota Corolla 2023 received five stars in Euro NCAP, but only four in IIHS due to weak protection small overlap. If you often drive on American roads with narrow shoulders, this nuance can be critical.

How crash tests are carried out: step-by-step analysis of the process

The crash testing process consists of several stages, each of which is carefully documented. Let's see how this happens using an example Euro NCAP:

1. Preparing the car

  • 🔧 The car undergoes a preliminary inspection (checking belts, airbags, electronics)
  • 📏 Strain sensors are installed on the body and interior
  • 🪑 Mannequins are calibrated to the weight and height of the average passenger (for example, Hybrid III weighs 78 kg)

2. Tests performed

Frontal impact on 64 km/h into a deformable barrier (40% overlap)

Side impact on 50 km/h (simulation of a collision with another car)

Hit from behind 32 km/h (check neck and back)

Rollover test (roof strength assessment)

Pedestrian crash test (40 km/h)

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3. Data collection

During the impact the following is recorded:

  • 📊 Impact force (in g - units of overload)
  • 🦴 Risk of fractures (tibia, hips, ribs)
  • 🧠 Possibility of head and neck injury (HIC-index)
  • 🚗 Deformation of the interior (displacement of the steering wheel, pedals)

4. Analysis and rating

After the tests, engineers:

  • 🔍 Study high-speed recordings (up to 40,000 fps)
  • 📉 Compare data with standards (for example, overload should not exceed 60g for the head)
  • ⭐ Assign stars (from 0 to 5) in each category

An interesting nuance: in 2026 Euro NCAP started to take into account electric vehicle battery safety. For example, BYD Seal lost points due to the risk of battery fire in a side impact.

What happens to cars after a crash test?

Most cars are scrapped after testing because their bodies are deformed to a critical condition. However, some specimens end up in museums or educational centers. For example, in a museum Mercedes-Benz exhibited in Stuttgart S-Class W220broken in the test 2005 — it demonstrates how security systems have evolved over 20 years.

How to read crash test results: what to look for

Today it is easier to get five stars in a crash test than 10 years ago — the requirements are becoming stricter, but the cars are also becoming safer. However, not all stars are the same. Here's what to look for in the reports:

1. Breakdown by category

Evaluation 90% for the protection of adults and 70% for the protection of children is not the same thing. For example, Volvo XC90 received:

  • 👨 97% - protection of adults
  • 👶 87% - child protection
  • 🚶 76% — pedestrian protection
  • 🛡️ 98% — security systems

If family security is important to you, look at the second indicator.

2. Report details

Read the experts' comments carefully. For example, in the test Dacia Sandero 2021 it was noted:

⚠️ Attention: In a side impact, the driver's side door opens, increasing the risk of the passenger being ejected. This defect was eliminated only in the restyled version 2023.

3. Comparison with competitors

Despite the five stars, Kia Picanto showed worse results in protecting the driver's legs during a frontal impact than Hyundai i10 the same class. If you are choosing between similar models, such nuances can be decisive.

4. Relevance of the test

Ratings become outdated over time. For example, Nissan Qashqai 2014 received five stars, but by modern standards its rating would drop to four due to the lack of a system AEB.

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Before purchasing a used car, check to see if crash test requirements have changed since the year it was manufactured. For example, cars up to 2018 often lacked rear side impact protection.

Myths and misconceptions about crash tests

There are many myths surrounding crash testing. Let's look at the most common ones:

Myth 1: “Five stars means the car is invulnerable”

In fact:

  • ❌ Stars are assigned based on specific tests (for example, frontal impact on 64 km/h)
  • ✅ Real accidents happen at other speeds and at other angles
  • 💡 Example: Tesla Model S received five stars, but in an accident 180 km/h her battery caught fire

Myth 2: “A big car is always safer than a small one”

It was relevant 20 years ago. Today small cars (eg. Honda Jazz) often perform better than outdated SUVs, thanks to modern materials and electronics.

Myth 3: “Crash tests are rigged by manufacturers”

Organizations like Euro NCAP and IIHS are independent and buy test cars anonymously from showrooms. However, there are scandals: 2016 Mitsubishi admitted that she overestimated body strength data in internal tests.

Myth 4: “Electric cars are more dangerous because of their batteries.”

In fact, Tesla Model Y and Volvo EX30 showed some of the best results in protecting passengers. The batteries are placed in the most protected area (under the floor), and their housings are reinforced with Kevlar.

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Crash tests do not guarantee 100% safety, but they are the only objective way to compare cars according to this criterion. Always check the test date and report details, not just the number of stars.

How crash test results affect the value of a car

Safety ratings are directly related to the price of the car - not only when purchased, but also during operation. Here's how it works:

1. Initial cost

Highly rated models are often more expensive by 5–15%. For example, Subaru Outback with the system EyeSight (which helped get five stars) is worth $3 000 more expensive than the basic version.

2. Insurance

Companies use crash test data to calculate tariffs. For example, in USA owners Volvo XC60 pay on 20% less for insurance than owners Jeep Wrangler with three stars.

3. Resale

Cars with high ratings lose value more slowly. According to Autotrader, Toyota RAV4 (five stars) after three years of operation stands at 12% more expensive than similar Kia Sportage (2019, four stars).

4. Taxes and subsidies

In some countries (eg Sweden, Netherlands) Cars with high safety ratings receive tax breaks or subsidies upon purchase.

Case Study: After Ford Focus received five stars in 2019, its sales in Europe increased by 28%, despite the higher price compared to competitors.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about crash tests

🔹 Why do some cars fail crash tests?

Main reasons:

  • 💰 Savings on safety (budget models often have weak bodies)
  • 📅 Outdated platforms (e.g. Lada Vesta built on the basis 2010)
  • 🌍 Different standards (the car may be safe for Europe, but not for the USA)

Example: Suzuki Jimny didn't pass Euro NCAP in 2020 due to lack of system AEB and poor protection for pedestrians, although its frame can withstand heavy loads.

🔹 Can you trust crash tests of Russian cars?

Russia does not have its own crash test program similar to Euro NCAP. Paternal models (e.g. Lada Granta) are tested using simplified procedures that do not take into account:

  • 🚶 Pedestrian protection
  • 👶 Safety of child seats
  • 🛡️ Electronic assistance systems

For an objective assessment, it is better to look at the results ARCAP (Asian equivalent Euro NCAP) if the model is exported.

🔹 Why do electric cars often get high ratings?

Three reasons:

  • 🔋 The battery is placed low, which reduces the center of gravity and the risk of tipping over
  • 🛡️ The absence of a front engine allows for a larger crumple zone
  • 🤖 Electric cars are more often equipped with advanced safety systems (Autopilot at Tesla, Pilot Assist at Volvo)

However, there are also risks: with a strong impact, the battery may catch fire (as is the case with Chevrolet Bolt in 2021).

🔹 How do crash tests affect car design?

Manufacturers change designs based on tests:

  • 🚗 Mercedes-Benz after tests 1995 started using programmable crumple zones
  • 🛡️ Volvo first to introduce side airbags after data analysis IIHS
  • 👶 Honda changed the shape of the rear seats CR-Vto better protect children

Today engineers use virtual crash tests (simulations on supercomputers) to reduce the number of real tests.

🔹Where can I see the latest crash test results?

Official sources:

For convenience, you can use aggregators, for example, SaferCar (compares data NHTSA and IIHS).