Australia’s new-car safety watchdog has awarded the Audi Q3, Audi A3 and Cupra Leon five-star safety ratings, while the Nissan Qashqai and Suzuki e Vitara electric SUV have received four stars in the latest round of testing ahead of stricter 2026 protocols.
The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) said the e Vitara’s result marks an improvement for Suzuki following lower scores for recent models.
The rating follows one- and three-star results for the Suzuki Fronx and Suzuki Swift respectively, which drew criticism from ANCAP chief executive Carla Hoorweg.
However, Ms Hoorweg said the e Vitara demonstrates improved safety performance, despite falling short of a five-star rating due to its adult occupant protection score.
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“It’s encouraging to see improvements in safety performance across the market,” she said in a statement.
“This latest rating achieved by the e Vitara is evidence Suzuki can produce a model that offers sound levels of safety performance.”
Under the outgoing 2025 protocols, the e Vitara recorded 77 per cent for adult occupant protection, 87 per cent for child occupant protection, 79 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 71 per cent for safety assist.
“These outcomes show that higher levels of safety are within reach, and that continued focus on delivering consistent performance across all areas is key to achieving the highest rating,” Ms Hoorweg said.
The Nissan Qashqai was also awarded a four-star rating following a re-test after specification changes, becoming the first Qashqai not to achieve five stars since the nameplate launched in Australia in 2014.
It scored 91 per cent for child occupant protection and 78 per cent for adult occupant protection, but was held back by ratings of 68 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and 62 per cent for safety assist.
Among the five-star performers, the new-generation Q3 achieved 86 per cent for adult occupant protection, 80 per cent for child occupant protection, 76 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and 75 per cent for safety assist.
The A3 and Leon were also reassessed following specification updates, with both retaining five-star results.
The A3 received scores of 87 per cent for adult occupant protection, 86 per cent for child occupant protection, 76 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and 75 per cent for safety assist.
The Leon achieved 88 per cent for adult occupant protection, 86 per cent for child occupant protection, and 82 per cent for both vulnerable road user protection and safety assist.
More stringent ANCAP protocols will come into effect in 2026, with increased scrutiny on the effectiveness and usability of advanced driver assist systems, aligned with developments from Euro NCAP.
| Model | ANCAP safety rating | Adult occupant protection | Child occupant protection | Vulnerable road user protection | Safety assist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Audi A3 | 5 stars | 86% | 80% | 76% | 75% |
| 2026 Audi Q3 | 5 stars | 87% | 86% | 80% | 83% |
| 2026 Cupra Leon | 5 stars | 88% | 86% | 82% | 82% |
| 2026 Nissan Qashqai | 4 stars | 78% | 91% | 68% | 62% |
| 2026 Suzuki e Vitara | 4 stars | 77% | 87% | 79% | 71% |
MORE: 2026 ANCAP safety protocols are here: What you need to know