Earlier this year, the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) said it would introduce an overhauled safety testing program that would require at least a few physical controls for key functions. This move is a response to overly minimalist, touchscreen-heavy car interiors that are, in some cases, deemed to contribute to distracted driving.
Euro NCAP has now detailed its revised scoring system, set to be implemented next year. This update aligns with modern driving conditions and is the most significant revision since the organization’s overall rating system was introduced in 2009. We expect some or all of these changes to be implemented by other safety regulatory bodies over time—including right here in America. This could make achieving a five-star rating much harder than it has been until now.
Related: New Safety Rules Will Reward Physical Buttons Over Distracting Touchscreens
Four Stages of Safety
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Euro NCAP says the new rating system to determine an overall star rating will be divided into four stages of safety:
- Safe Driving. This category relates to technologies that assist in providing a safer drive.
- Crash Avoidance. Here, crash avoidance systems are evaluated for their ability to prevent accidents.
- Crash Protection. Often the main area of focus when someone buys a new car, this category focuses on actual crash protection when an accident occurs.
- Post-Crash Safety. After a crash occurs, assistance systems can reduce the severity of injury or the post-crash risk to occupants by working with first responders. These systems will be evaluated.
“Every three years, we re-examine our star rating criteria with the simple aim of reducing vehicle-related deaths and serious injuries,” said Dr. Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General, Euro NCAP. “The updates to protocols ensure that Euro NCAP’s testing, analysis, and ratings remain the definitive guide for consumers who value an impartial guide to the safety of the latest cars.”
Regarding the integration of physical buttons specifically, this falls under the first stage, which is Safe Driving. Based on consumer feedback, Euro NCAP says these controls can reduce distraction. The safety body also wants to see better driver monitoring technologies, even going so far as awarding extra points for systems that can identify drug or alcohol impairment.
For the first time, verification of speed-limit information accuracy will be assessed, too.
Related: The Safest Cars of 2025: IIHS Top Safety Picks
All Eyes on Electric Door Handles and EV Battery Isolation
Tesla
A major safety issue that has been prominent this year relates to electric door handles, which can trap occupants in a car following a crash. A family recently sued Tesla over a Model S that trapped occupants inside during a fire, and the common complaint is that the manual override handles are often poorly labeled or difficult to access in such a scenario. Other automakers, such as Xiaomi, have also been implicated in fatal incidents involving these door handles.
In the Post-Crash Safety category, Euro NCAP will require these doors to remain operable following a crash. Another requirement in this category will be for EVs to effectively isolate their high-voltage batteries, and any fire risk must be adequately communicated to the driver.
Here are other key additions being added to Euro NCAP’s testing protocol next year:
- Assessment of annoying or intrusive driver-assistance systems
- More occupant body sizes will be evaluated in crash tests
- Smoothness and intuitiveness of lane support systems will contribute to scoring
- More stringent testing for vehicles to identify powered two-wheelers and cyclists
- Increased focus on pedestrian-injury risk
“The intended outcome is improved protection for vehicle occupants and all road users through more effective driver assistance, robust accident prevention, enhanced crash protection, and improved post-crash management,” said van Ratingen.
Related: Top 5 Vehicles with the Most Standard Safety Features in 2025
Why It Matters
IIHS/YouTube
Euro NCAP is highly regarded for assessing vehicle safety, with its protocols often mirrored by other safety bodies around the globe. We expect similar changes to be implemented by local testing authorities, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The IIHS has already adopted tougher testing procedures, including those that focus on distracting technologies and the effectiveness of driver monitoring systems. However, pushback from automakers has led to the NHTSA delaying tougher tests until 2027.
For automakers, these more stringent crash tests will make attaining a now-expected five-star rating more challenging.
