What Is a Car Crash Test?

A car crash test is a controlled, instrumented collision designed to evaluate how well a vehicle protects its occupants and other road users in common crash scenarios; independent programs such as IIHS (U.S.), NHTSA’s 5-Star Program (U.S.), Euro NCAP (Europe), and others run standardized tests, then publish ratings that consumers and regulators use to compare safety. Beyond simple “smash tests,” modern programs also assess crash avoidance technologies like automatic emergency braking and lane support.

Why Crash Tests Exist

Crash tests quantify safety so buyers, insurers, and regulators can compare vehicles with objective data. They pressure manufacturers to improve structures, airbags, restraints, and driver-assistance systems, and they reveal weaknesses—such as poor side-impact protection or ineffective rear-seat restraints—before those flaws appear in real-world statistics.

Who Conducts Crash Tests

Multiple independent and governmental organizations run crash-testing programs around the world, each with its own protocols, speeds, equipment, and scoring. While all aim to represent common, severe crash modes, their methods differ, so results aren’t always one-to-one across regions.

The following are the best-known crash-test and rating programs and what they cover:

• IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, U.S.) — Publishes crashworthiness ratings (Good to Poor), crash-avoidance evaluations, headlight ratings, and annual Top Safety Pick awards; notable for small-overlap and updated side-impact tests.
• NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (U.S. NCAP) — Federal program with 1–5 star overall and component ratings for frontal, side, and rollover; has proposed adding pedestrian/AEB metrics but core star system remains unchanged since 2011.
• Euro NCAP (Europe) — Star ratings based on Adult Occupant, Child Occupant, Vulnerable Road Users (pedestrian/cyclist/motorcyclist), and Safety Assist; frequently updates protocols and has expanded active-safety assessments.
• ANCAP (Australasia) — Harmonized closely with Euro NCAP protocols and scoring, with ratings applying in Australia and New Zealand.
• Latin NCAP, Global NCAP, ASEAN NCAP, JNCAP, C-NCAP — Regional programs that test vehicles sold locally; scope and rigor vary by region and model year.

Together, these programs create a global baseline for safety comparison, although shoppers should focus on the program relevant to their market and the exact model year tested.

What Happens in a Crash Test

Crash tests are highly scripted scientific experiments. Vehicles are prepared, instrumented with sensors and dummies, accelerated to specific speeds, and crashed into barriers or impacted by movable deformable barriers. High-speed cameras and data acquisition systems record the event to calculate injury risk and structural performance.

Here is the typical process from selection to publication:

1. Vehicle selection — Programs buy new vehicles from dealers to avoid any manufacturer-specific prep; multiple variants may be tested if equipment differs.
2. Instrumentation — Anthropomorphic test devices (dummies) are fitted with accelerometers, load cells, and deflection sensors; vehicles get accelerometers, string potentiometers, and high-speed camera targets.
3. Test execution — The vehicle (or barrier) is propelled to a target speed and alignment to simulate a specific crash mode.
4. Data analysis — Injury measures (head, chest, neck, femur, pelvis, etc.), structural deformation, restraint performance, and kinematics are computed.
5. Scoring and rating — Programs convert measurements into ratings (stars or Good-to-Poor tiers) and may combine sub-scores into an overall result.
6. Publication — Photos, videos, and detailed protocols are released to inform consumers and encourage design improvements.

This structured approach ensures repeatability and comparability across vehicles and over time, even as protocols evolve.

The Main Types of Crash Tests and Ratings

Programs evaluate a mix of crashworthiness (how a vehicle protects you in a crash) and crash avoidance (how it helps you avoid one). Specific speeds and setups vary by program and year, but the core scenarios below are widely used.

• Frontal moderate-overlap offset — Simulates two vehicles colliding partially head-on. IIHS conducts a 40 mph (64 km/h) 40% overlap test and, since 2022, assesses rear-seat protection as well as front. Euro NCAP runs an offset barrier test and a moving progressive deformable barrier test to assess both the struck and striking vehicles.
• Small-overlap front — A severe 25% overlap into a rigid barrier at 40 mph (64 km/h) used by IIHS, stressing the outer frame, wheel, and A-pillar where structures are weakest.
• Full-width frontal — A uniform load test (e.g., U.S. NHTSA at 35 mph/56 km/h) that emphasizes seatbelts, airbags, and restraint timing rather than structural crush zones.
• Side impact (barrier) — A moving deformable barrier hits the driver’s side. IIHS updated its test in 2022 with a heavier, faster barrier to reflect modern SUV pickup mass and speed; NHTSA and Euro NCAP also run MDB side impacts.
• Side pole — Simulates hitting a narrow object like a tree or pole at an oblique angle (around 32 km/h in many programs), stressing head-protecting side airbags and torso protection.
• Rear impact/whiplash — Sled tests and seat/head restraint evaluations gauge neck-injury risk in low-to-moderate rear crashes; seat geometry and dynamic response are rated by IIHS and others.
• Roof strength and rollover — Static roof crush resistance (IIHS historical metric) and NHTSA’s rollover resistance evaluation assess protection in rollovers; stability factors and electronic stability control contribute.
• Pedestrian and cyclist protection — Headform, legform, and pelvis impactors measure front-end design aggressiveness, while active-safety tests score automatic emergency braking for pedestrians and cyclists, including night scenarios; Euro NCAP also assesses motorcyclist detection.
• Crash-avoidance and driver assistance — Automatic emergency braking (car-to-car, pedestrian, cyclist), lane keeping, lane departure prevention, blind-spot intervention, junction assist, and speed assistance are scored. IIHS, for example, rates front crash prevention as Basic/Advanced/Superior and separately tests night pedestrian AEB for awards.
• Child occupant protection — Dynamic tests with Q-series child dummies in appropriate restraints, checks for ISOFIX/LATCH usability, airbag warnings, and vehicle compatibility with child seats inform family-oriented scores.
• Far-side impact and center airbags — Increasingly assessed to address occupant-to-occupant and across-cabin motion in side crashes; Euro NCAP and IIHS consider far-side metrics and countermeasures such as center airbags.

Programs translate these results into consumer-facing ratings: IIHS uses Good/Acceptable/Marginal/Poor and grants Top Safety Pick/TSP+ awards (with stricter criteria for nighttime pedestrian AEB and good headlights across trims), while NHTSA and Euro NCAP publish star ratings combining multiple domains. Always check the test year and protocol notes when comparing.

Test Dummies, Sensors, and Data

Modern crash tests use anthropomorphic test devices matched to body sizes and crash modes: Hybrid III and THOR for frontal impacts (including 50th-percentile male and 5th-percentile female sizes), WorldSID for side impacts, and Q-series for child occupants. IIHS’s updated moderate-overlap test, for example, places a small female dummy in the rear to evaluate back-seat protection. Hundreds of sensors capture head injury criteria (HIC), chest deflection, neck forces/moments, femur loads, pelvis acceleration, and more, while high-speed cameras (often 1,000+ fps) document kinematics. Increasingly, virtual human body models and computer simulations augment physical testing.

What the Ratings Mean and How to Use Them

Ratings summarize complex data, but context matters. Compare vehicles of similar size and mass within the same program and protocol year. Pay attention to trim-specific equipment like headlights and standard fitment of AEB or lane support, because some ratings apply only when certain safety technologies are included or made standard. Awards and stars are helpful shortcuts, but the subtest details (e.g., small-overlap performance, updated side impact, rear-seat protection) often reveal the most.

The checklist below can help shoppers make sense of crash-test results when choosing a vehicle:

• Compare within the same model year and the same program (IIHS vs. Euro NCAP results aren’t directly interchangeable).
• Prioritize strong results in small-overlap front and updated side-impact tests; these are among the most demanding.
• Check rear-seat protection ratings in updated moderate-overlap tests if you carry passengers frequently.
• Look for standard, good-or-better headlights across all trims and strong nighttime pedestrian AEB performance.
• Verify that the tested safety equipment (AEB, lane support, center airbags) is included on the trim you plan to buy.

Using this approach aligns your purchase with the most meaningful safety metrics, not just headline scores.

Limitations and Evolving Protocols

Crash tests approximate common and severe crashes, but they can’t cover every scenario or driver behavior. Automakers may “teach to the test,” vehicle mass disparities still affect real-world outcomes, and optional equipment can change results. Protocols evolve—recent examples include IIHS’s heavier side-impact barrier and rear-occupant focus, Euro NCAP’s expansion to motorcyclist detection and post-crash rescue metrics, and U.S. discussions about adding pedestrian/ADAS measures to federal ratings—so always note the protocol year behind a score.

Summary

A car crash test is a standardized, instrumented collision used to measure how well a vehicle prevents and mitigates injury—and increasingly, how well it prevents crashes in the first place. Independent programs such as IIHS, NHTSA’s 5-Star Ratings, and Euro NCAP run a suite of frontal, side, rear, pedestrian, and active-safety tests, then publish clear ratings that consumers can use. Focus on recent protocols, key subtests, and standard equipment to make the safest choice for your needs.

What is the safety test for cars?

What Are the NHTSA Crash Tests? Frontal Crash Test – To test structural integrity and the likelihood and nature of passenger injury in a head-on collision, the vehicle is crashed into a fixed barrier at 35 mph. A larger adult dummy is arranged in the driver’s seat, with a smaller adult dummy in the passenger seat.

Is a 4 safety rating good?

Yes, a 4-star safety rating is generally considered good, indicating a vehicle provides very good or excellent protection in a crash with some potential for minor safety concerns or areas that don’t meet the highest standards, according to organizations like the NHTSA and Euro NCAP. A 4-star rating suggests a vehicle offers robust protection and may include helpful safety features, though it may not be as comprehensively impressive or incorporate as much cutting-edge crash avoidance technology as a 5-star rated vehicle. 
What a 4-Star Rating Means

• Good Safety Performance: Vehicles with 4-star ratings demonstrate a good overall performance in crash protection. 
• Protection and Features: They offer strong protection for occupants and may be equipped with advanced safety features, although not to the same extent as 5-star vehicles. 
• Minor Concerns: A 4-star rating can also signify that the car does not meet the highest safety standards in all key assessment areas or might have minor safety concerns. 

Comparing with Other Ratings

• 5 Stars: The highest rating, indicating excellent safety, robust crash protection, and state-of-the-art crash avoidance technology. 
• 3 Stars: An average or acceptable level of safety, providing reasonable crash protection but often lacking some modern driver aids or having average performance. 
• 1 or 2 Stars: These ratings suggest a lower level of safety, with nominal or poor crash protection and limited or no advanced crash avoidance technology. 

Key Takeaways

• A 4-star rating means the car is quite safe. 
• It indicates strong, though not perfect, safety performance compared to other vehicles on the market. 
• For a comprehensive assessment, it is always beneficial to check both the overall star rating and any specific scores or details provided by the testing organization. 

What car has the best crash test?

There is no single car with the absolute “best” crash test; however, for 2025, vehicles like the 2025 BMW 3 Series and 2025 Kia EV6 received top safety scores from U.S. News & World Report, while the 2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class and 2025 Honda Accord earned Top Safety Pick+ awards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The “best” car depends on the criteria and the specific test, as the IIHS and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) use different evaluation methods and target different aspects of vehicle safety, with the IIHS also implementing stricter tests, especially for rear-seat safety. 
Top Safety Picks from Leading Organizations

• IIHS – Top Safety Pick+ Awards: Opens in new tabThe IIHS, with its more rigorous 2025 testing focused on rear-seat passenger safety, awarded Top Safety Pick+ ratings to models like the 2025 Honda Accord and the 2025 Genesis GV60. 
• U.S. News & World Report Safety Score: Opens in new tabThis platform highlights vehicles with excellent overall safety, featuring models like the 2025 BMW 3 Series with a perfect 10/10 score and the 2025 Kia EV6 also receiving a 10/10 score. 

Key Factors in Crash Testing

• IIHS vs. NHTSA: The IIHS focuses on the vehicle’s ability to withstand crashes and prevent them, while NHTSA assigns an overall 5-star rating based on its own crash test procedures. 
• Specific Test Focus: Newer IIHS tests are particularly stringent, with a new emphasis on ensuring the safety of rear-seat passengers. 
• Vehicle Class: Safety ratings vary across different vehicle classes (small cars, large SUVs, etc.), so it’s important to compare cars within the same category. 

How to Find a Safe Vehicle 

• Check Official Ratings: Visit the websites of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS-HLDI) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to find detailed information on their latest safety ratings and testing protocols.
• Consult Reliable Sources: U.S. News & World Report and {Link: Consumer Reports https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-safety/safest-new-cars-2025-according-to-iihs-a33256

What is a crash test for cars?

Car crash tests are structured and controlled evaluations conducted to determine how a vehicle responds during simulated collisions. These tests replicate real-world accidents such as frontal, side, and rear-end collisions to measure the effectiveness of safety features and the structural integrity of the vehicle.