Star ratings in crash tests have become a kind of definitive label for many buyers. Five stars mean "safe," while anything lower is usually interpreted as a red flag.

However, this simplified reading does not always reflect the real complexity of current evaluation systems or the evolution they have undergone in recent years.

Mitsubishi has decided to address this debate directly following the rating obtained by the new ASX, the small SUV developed on the Renault Captur platform. The model achieved four stars in European tests, a result that, far from bothering the brand, has served as a starting point to question the true value of ratings in the current context.

Mitsubishi puts the four stars into context

From the Japanese firm's perspective, safety standards have advanced so much that a rating below the highest doesn't necessarily imply an unsafe product. Bruce Hampel, General Manager of Product Strategy at Mitsubishi Australia, explained this in statements reported by Drive.au: "In terms of a four-star car, it's very safe."

For Hampel, the problem isn't the vehicle's objective safety, but rather how the public perceives star ratings today. The industry has contributed to creating a narrative in which only a perfect score seems acceptable, without considering that evaluation criteria are becoming increasingly demanding and complex.

The evolution of crash tests

The Australian executive recalls that it wasn't always this way. In the early years of ANCAP, Australia's safety rating agency, four stars represented an outstanding result. According to Hampel: “I remember when ANCAP first introduced the star rating, the intention was for four stars to be the norm, with only exceptional vehicles achieving five stars.”

Over time, that logic changed. Tests became more stringent, new impact scenarios were added, and active safety systems were incorporated, progressively raising the bar. The result is a paradox: today a car can be safer than one from a decade ago and still receive a worse relative rating.

Five stars as an entry requirement

Hampel also points out how this escalation of demands has changed the rules of the market: “During the last 15 to 20 years of ANCAP's existence, the expectation gradually increased until it reached 'five stars is the minimum to enter', which is great, and we have met it when necessary.”

ANCAP has been operating since 1993 and has been aligning its protocols with those of other international organizations. From 2026, its criteria will be directly identical to those of Euro NCAP. In this context, the fact that the Mitsubishi ASX has obtained four stars in Europe anticipates an equivalent score in Australia.

The direct impact on sales and fleets

Beyond the technical debate, the star rating system has very concrete commercial consequences. Hampel explains it clearly: “Our sales volume is practically split 50/50 between private buyers and fleets. Fleets dictate, rightly or wrongly, that their vehicles must be five stars to be considered, so, essentially, we are obliged to meet those requirements if we want to participate in those fleet markets.”

Failing to achieve the maximum score effectively means being excluded from a significant market segment. However, this impact varies depending on the type of vehicle and the target customer profile.

The specific case of the Mitsubishi ASX

In the small SUV segment, Mitsubishi believes the fleet market plays a much smaller role. According to Hampel: “With the ASX, around 80% of small SUV customers are private individuals, and we feel comfortable abandoning the fleet business in this particular segment.”

This reality allows the brand to accept a four-star rating without it critically impacting model sales. The focus is clearly on the private customer, who values ??factors beyond a perfect crash test score.

Real safety versus perception

Mitsubishi doesn't hide the fact that aiming for five stars remains the ideal goal, but also insists on the need to put the results into context. Hampel sums it up this way: “It's not that we're happy with it per se,” he says, referring to the four-star rating, “but it's something we can accept given the target audience we're aiming for with this vehicle, and we'll continue to investigate in the future as this product is renewed. We can get this product to five stars.”

The underlying message is clear: safety isn't just about a number. A car with four stars today can offer a much higher level of protection than a five-star car from past generations.