ADAC updates vehicle testing criteria to reflect market standards
Automotive organization ADAC has implemented a revised testing protocol for 2026, incorporating stricter criteria for safety, technology, and environmental impact.
Testing over 100 vehicle models annually at its technical facilities in Landsberg and Penzing, ADAC has overhauled its evaluation framework. The organization stated that the update was necessary to keep pace with the improved equipment and technology levels found in modern vehicles. The new system encompasses more than 300 individual criteria ranging from body comfort to active safety systems.
Key updates include the integration of fuel and emission measurements directly into the standard car test, effectively retiring the separate ADAC Ecotest. The organization has also refined its methodology to improve comparability between electric vehicles and combustion engines. Furthermore, the assessment of safety features has been tightened: mandatory driver assistance systems are no longer rewarded with bonus points, with credit now given only for systems that exceed standard regulatory requirements.
Because of these adjustments, ADAC noted that test scores from 2026 onwards are not directly comparable to previous years. The organization expects that the rigorous nature of the new criteria will make it more challenging for manufacturers to achieve high ratings, ensuring a more accurate reflection of current market standards.