Three main bodies test crash safety with different protocols: Euro NCAP (Europe/UK, star rating 0-5 plus percentage scores in four categories), IIHS (US, ratings of Poor/Marginal/Acceptable/Good per test plus a Top Safety Pick award), and Global NCAP (India and other emerging markets, 0-5 stars often on a reduced test protocol versus Euro NCAP). A car sold under the same name in different regions can carry different structural specifications, so a 5-star Euro NCAP rating does not guarantee the same result if that model is also sold and tested in India.
At a glance
| Body | Region | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Euro NCAP | Europe/UK | 0-5 stars + adult/child/pedestrian/assist % scores |
| IIHS | United States/Canada | Good/Acceptable/Marginal/Poor per test + Top Safety Pick(+) |
| NHTSA | United States | 0-5 stars (overall, front, side, rollover) |
| Global NCAP | India + other emerging markets | 0-5 stars (adult & child occupant) |
| ANCAP | Australia/New Zealand | 0-5 stars, aligned closely with Euro NCAP protocol |
What this tool does
This comparison places a model's ratings from every testing body that has evaluated it side by side, flags when the tested version differs from the one sold in your market (different structural spec, different standard safety equipment), and translates each body's specific scoring language into a plain read on where the car is strong or weak.
Why the same model can score differently
Automakers frequently build regionally-specific versions of a nameplate to hit different price points and regulatory requirements — a car sold as "Model X" in India may have a lighter structure, fewer standard airbags, or no electronic stability control as standard compared with the Europe-market version carrying the same name. Global NCAP has specifically highlighted this practice, testing budget-market variants that scored zero or one star despite related models scoring five stars elsewhere.
- Euro NCAP tests are generally considered the most stringent and are periodically toughened, so ratings from different years aren't directly comparable — always check the test year.
- IIHS uses a graded scale (Good/Acceptable/Marginal/Poor) per individual test rather than a single combined star number, and its Top Safety Pick award requires specific headlight and crash-prevention performance too.
- NHTSA's star ratings are a separate US government program from IIHS — a car can score well on one and not the other because the test protocols differ.
- Global NCAP has progressively required stability control and multiple airbags as standard for a 5-star rating as its protocol has matured — older ratings used a lower bar.
How to compare ratings meaningfully
Match the test year and market-spec vehicle, not just the star count. A 2019 Global NCAP rating and a 2026 Euro NCAP rating for facelifted versions of the same nameplate aren't directly comparable — protocols get harder over time, and a facelift can add or remove standard safety kit. When comparing across bodies, look at the category breakdowns (adult occupant, child occupant, pedestrian/vulnerable road user, and safety-assist systems) rather than only the headline star number.
What to check before relying on a rating
- Confirm the tested variant matches your market's specification, including standard airbag count and ESC.
- Check the test year — protocols get stricter over time, so newer ratings under a tougher protocol are a higher bar to clear.
- Look at category scores, not just stars — a car can score well overall while scoring poorly on child occupant or pedestrian protection.
- For IIHS, check whether the model was tested under the updated moderate-overlap or side-impact protocols, since older 'Good' ratings used a less demanding test.
Worked example
A compact SUV earns 5 stars from Euro NCAP in its European-spec form with six airbags and standard autonomous emergency braking. The same nameplate sold in a price-sensitive market with two airbags and no stability control as standard is tested separately by Global NCAP and scores 1 star for adult occupant protection. Both ratings are accurate for the specific car tested — the difference is entirely in what equipment each regional version actually carries, which is exactly why matching test to market spec matters more than matching by model name.
Never assume a rating transfers across markets for a car with the same name — always verify against the exact market-spec variant and test-protocol year before treating a star rating as current.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Euro NCAP and IIHS ratings?
Why do some cars score badly on Global NCAP but well on Euro NCAP?
Is a 5-star NHTSA rating the same as a 5-star Euro NCAP rating?
What does IIHS Top Safety Pick+ mean?
How often do crash test protocols change?
Sources & further reading
Figures, prices and policy details were current at the last-updated date above. Automotive pricing, incentives and regulations change frequently — verify time-sensitive details with the linked primary sources. Read our editorial policy and fact-checking standards.
