2026 Euro NCAP safety protocols Introduce Toughest Vehicle Safety Tests Yet

The European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) has now detailed its revised scoring system, set to be implemented next year. The 2026 Euro NCAP safety protocols mark the most significant overhaul since the organization’s overall rating system was introduced in 2009, demanding higher standards for everything from vehicle design to software integration.

This update aligns testing with modern driving conditions, and its stringent new requirements are expected to be mirrored by other global safety bodies, making achieving a five-star rating much harder than it has been until now.

Euro NCAP stages of safety — Source: Euro NCAP

Here is a breakdown of the four stages of safety and the most critical new requirements.

The Four Stages of Safety and New Requirements

The new testing program determines a vehicle’s overall star rating across four distinct categories.

Safety Stage	Area of Focus	Key New 2026 Requirement
Safe Driving	Driver assistance, fatigue, and distraction	Rewarding Physical Controls to reduce distraction; assessing drug/alcohol impairment systems.
Crash Avoidance	Active prevention systems	More stringent testing for identifying powered two-wheelers and cyclists; evaluating annoying ADAS systems.
Crash Protection	Traditional passive safety	Evaluating more occupant body sizes in crash tests; increasing focus on pedestrian-injury risk.
Post-Crash Safety	Reducing post-accident risk	Electric door handles must remain operable; effective high-voltage EV battery isolation and fire risk communication required.

The Focus on Physical Controls and Electric Doors

Two of the most impactful changes address prominent consumer and safety concerns that have been highlighted over the past few years:

Physical Controls: This falls under the Safe Driving stage. Based on consumer feedback, Euro NCAP believes that providing physical buttons for key functions can reduce driver distraction. The new protocols will reward automakers who simplify the driver interface and avoid over-relying on touchscreen menus for essential controls.
Electric Door Handles: This is a key part of the Post-Crash Safety evaluation. Following multiple incidents where electric door handles trapped occupants in a crash, Euro NCAP will now require these doors to remain operable following an accident, including the proper accessibility and labeling of manual override handles.

2025 Toyota 4Runner crash test — Source: IIHS/YouTube

Global Impact

The 2026 Euro NCAP safety protocols are highly regarded, and its updates are often mirrored by safety bodies around the globe, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). For automakers, these more stringent crash tests and technology mandates will raise the cost and complexity of vehicle development, ensuring that only the safest models can achieve the now-expected five-star rating.

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