Does Safety Tech Make New Cars More Expensive? Euro NCAP Says No

There's a persistent belief among buyers that modern safety technology is one of the main reasons new cars cost more than they used to. Euro NCAP has pushed back hard on that idea.

What's Happening

Euro NCAP, the independent body that conducts crash testing and publishes safety ratings across Europe and Australia through ANCAP, has stated publicly that mandatory safety technology is not the primary driver of new car price increases.

Speaking at a media event in Europe, Euro NCAP secretary general Dr Michiel van Ratingen made it clear that the presence of safety equipment does not automatically translate into a higher retail price. The marketing and commercial decisions made by each manufacturer have far more influence on what ends up on a car and at what cost.

Euro NCAP technical director Richard Schram added important context: while safety tech isn't inherently expensive, some manufacturers are making a deliberate choice to target lower star ratings. The Dacia brand in Europe was cited as an example, with the company openly pursuing three-star ratings rather than five, as a way to control costs at the budget end of the market.

This is not a failure of the safety system. It is a conscious commercial decision. Brands are choosing where to position themselves on the safety spectrum based on the customers they are targeting.

Why This Matters for Buyers

This changes how you should think about safety ratings when buying a new car. A lower star rating does not always mean a dangerous car, but it does mean the manufacturer chose not to invest in the technology required to achieve a higher score.

When comparing two similarly priced new cars where one has a five-star ANCAP rating and another has three stars, the gap is not purely about cost. It reflects different priorities from the manufacturer. The five-star car likely has more advanced autonomous emergency braking, better lane-keeping systems, and more sophisticated occupant protection structures.

For Australian buyers, ANCAP ratings remain one of the most reliable independent tools for comparing safety across different brands and models. The scoring criteria have become more demanding in recent years, which means a five-star result today is significantly harder to earn than one from five years ago.

Timing Your Purchase

If safety is a priority, don't assume a new model year automatically means a safer car. Manufacturers are updating specifications constantly, and some safety features get added mid-cycle rather than at launch.

Check the ANCAP website to confirm when the current rating was awarded and under which test protocol. An older five-star result tested under less demanding criteria may not reflect how the car would perform under today's standards.

How to Use This to Your Advantage

Use ANCAP ratings as a filter, not just a talking point. When a dealer promotes a five-star safety rating, ask which year the test was conducted and whether the specific variant you're looking at was the one that was tested. Some manufacturers test top-spec variants and the result applies across the range, while others have tested specific configurations.

Ask whether the model has been updated since the rating was awarded. If the car received a facelift or specification change, the safety tech may have been altered. If you want help comparing safety ratings across competing models, Carseekers can cut through the noise and give you a straight answer.

Final Word

The cost of safety tech is coming down. The question is whether your next car's manufacturer chose to pass that saving on to buyers, or simply chose not to bother chasing five stars at all.

Considering finance for your next car? Loanseekers can help you explore car loan options.