Every new car stripped of its safety rating from today

Independent safety ratings for some of Australia’s top-selling new models – from the Mazda CX-5 to the single-cab Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series – have run out of road.

Another batch of Australia’s top-selling new cars – many with five-star scores, such as the Mazda CX-5 and Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series single-cab – have lost their safety ratings from today.

All are expected to remain on sale – as they still meet less stringent government motor-vehicle safety regulations – but the lack of five-star ratings for many of the vehicles may rule-out examples built from today from use in fleets which require top crash-test scores.

Among the 30 vehicles which lose their safety ratings from 1 January 2024 are the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Mazda CX-5, Ford Mustang, Kia Picanto, Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series single-cab chassis, Volkswagen T-Roc and Volvo XC60.

It is the second batch of new vehicles to be stripped of their Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) ratings after the oldest safety scores – for models tested as long ago as 2008 – expired after 31 December 2022.

Safety ratings will now be valid for six calendar years – plus the year in which the vehicle was tested – to make it easier for consumers to compare vehicles tested under the latest ANCAP criteria, and those tested under previous, less strict protocols.

Before the expiry dates were introduced, car manufacturers could continue to advertise five-star safety ratings from more than a decade ago – alongside newly-introduced vehicles tested to the latest and most stringent criteria.

There are no known changes to the safety equipment of vehicles which are stripped of their safety ratings from today – most of which were crash-tested in 2017, with a handful rated in 2016 – compared to examples built last year.

However examples manufactured from 1 January 2024 will be marked by ANCAP as ‘unrated’ – even if they are identical to those built on 31 December 2022, when its crash-test score was valid.

Top-selling models such as the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max, Toyota Corolla, Toyota RAV4 and Tesla Model Y are not affected for now, as their safety ratings are more recent.

Among the hardest hit by the expired safety scores are set to be fleets, as vehicles built and delivered after 1 January 2024 which have just lost their five-star safety ratings – as mandated by many businesses – may not be allowed on worksites, whereas those produced and delivered before the end of 2023 may continue to be permitted.

Car manufacturers can submit their vehicles to be re-tested by ANCAP and have the six-year expiry reset – but they will be subjected to the latest test criteria, which are far more stringent than those in place in 2016 or 2017.

Vehicles which have not received safety upgrades since their original ANCAP score was issued are unlikely to match their previous performance in crash tests.

Drive is aware of only one car maker considering submitting an ageing vehicle to be re-tested, Kia and its pint-sized Picanto – as reported in June 2023 – as an updated model with more safety equipment is now on sale. However it is yet to be confirmed if it will proceed with the re-testing.

Most of the 30 models affected – such as the Ford Mustang, Skoda Kodiaq, Toyota C-HR and Subaru Impreza – are nearing the end of their life cycles, and are due to be replaced by all-new vehicles within the next 12 months.

Other impacted vehicles such as the Kia Stinger, Jeep Cherokee and Mazda CX-9 have already been discontinued – with no new model on the horizon – and ended production well before 31 December 2023.

Unless they are re-tested to the latest criteria – or a new model arrives – a further 32 vehicles are due to lose their ANCAP safety ratings from 1 January 2025, including popular models such as the MG ZS, Hyundai i30 hatch, Suzuki Jimny and Toyota Corolla.

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ANCAP scores expired after 31 December 2023:

• Alfa Romeo Stelvio – tested 2017, five stars
• Audi Q5 – tested 2017, five stars (new model due within 18 months)
• BMW 6 Series GT – tested 2017, five stars (model discontinued)
• BMW X3 (excludes plug-in hybrid) – tested 2017, five stars (new model due late 2024)
• BMW iX3 – tested 2017, five stars
• BMW X4 – tested 2017, five stars
• Citroen C3 – tested 2017, four stars
• Ford Mustang – tested 2017, three stars (new model due mid-2024)
• Jaguar E-Pace – tested 2017, five stars
• Jaguar F-Pace – tested 2017, five stars
• Jeep Cherokee – tested 2016, five stars (model discontinued)
• Kia Stinger – tested 2017, five stars (model discontinued)
• Kia Picanto – tested 2017, four stars
• Land Rover Discovery – tested 2017, five stars
• Mazda CX-5 – tested 2017, five stars
• Mazda CX-9 – tested 2016, five stars (model discontinued)
• Mazda MX-5 – tested 2016, five stars
• Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet (C200, C300 only) – tested 2017, five stars (new model due 2024)
• Mini Countryman (Cooper D diesel only) – tested 2017, five stars (new model due early 2024)
• Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross – tested 2017, five stars
• Range Rover Velar (excludes plug-in hybrid, SV V8) – tested 2017, five stars
• Renault Koleos – tested 2017, five stars
• Skoda Karoq – tested 2017, five stars
• Skoda Kodiaq – tested 2017, five stars (new model due late 2024)
• Subaru Impreza – tested 2016, five stars (new model in showrooms now)
• Toyota C-HR – tested 2017, five stars (new model due early 2024)
• Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series single-cab – tested 2016, five stars
• Volkswagen Arteon – tested 2017, five stars (model discontinued)
• Volkswagen T-Roc – tested 2017, five stars
• Volvo XC60 (excludes plug-in hybrid) – tested 2017, five stars

ANCAP scores due to expire 31 December 2024:

• Audi A6 – tested 2018, five stars
• Audi A7 – tested 2018, five stars
• Audi Q3 – tested 2018, five stars
• BMW X5 – tested 2018, five stars
• Genesis G70 – tested 2018, five stars
• Hyundai i30 hatch and wagon – tested 2017, five stars
• Hyundai Nexo – tested 2018, five stars
• Hyundai Santa Fe (excludes hybrid) – tested 2018, five stars (new model due in 2024)
• Jaguar I-Pace – tested 2018, five stars
• Jeep Compass – tested 2017, five stars
• Kia Rio and Stonic – tested 2017, five stars (vehicle already discontinued)
• LDV D90 – tested 2017, five stars
• LDV T60 – tested 2017, five stars
• Lexus ES – tested 2018, five stars
• Mazda 6 – tested 2018, five stars
• Mazda CX-8 – tested 2018, five stars (vehicle to be discontinued imminently)
• Mercedes-Benz A-Class – tested 2018, five stars
• MG ZS petrol – tested 2017, four stars (new model due in 2024 or 2025)
• Nissan Leaf (40kWh) – tested 2018, five stars
• Peugeot 508 – tested 2018, five stars
• Peugeot Partner – tested 2018, four stars
• Subaru XV – tested 2017, five stars (vehicle already superseded by new Crosstrek)
• Suzuki Jimny – tested 2018, three stars
• Suzuki Swift (GL without safety pack) – tested 2017, four stars (new model due in 2024)
• Suzuki Swift (GL Plus, GLX, Sport with extra safety equipment) – tested 2017, five stars (new model due in 2024)
• Toyota Camry – tested 2017, five stars (new model due in 2024)
• Toyota Corolla hatch and sedan – tested 2018, five stars
• Volkswagen Touareg – tested 2018, five stars
• Volvo S60 (T5 only) – tested 2018, five stars
• Volvo V60 (T5 only) – tested 2018, five stars
• Volvo XC40 – tested 2018, five stars

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