AutoSafe™ Rating System
The AutoSafe™ rating system converts a complex, multi-domain technical evaluation into a clear and consumer-friendly A–F classification. Each class reflects not only crash performance, but also active safety, digital integrity, EV battery safety and long-term durability.
Behind every single letter grade there is a structured scoring model, weighted domains, penalty rules and strict caps for critical safety issues. This section explains how the global score is calculated and how a vehicle is ultimately assigned to AutoSafe™ Classes A through F. The methodology combines biomechanical injury metrics, system reliability data, cybersecurity robustness, battery isolation behavior and real-world durability patterns into a unified mathematical framework.
Global Score at a Glance
AutoSafe™ calculates a global score on a 0–100 scale, based on weighted domain performance and safety-critical penalty rules.
Σ (Domain Score × Domain Weight) – Penalties
This final numeric score is then mapped to an A–F class, subject to special rules for cybersecurity, EV battery safety and severe structural failures.
Domain Weighting Model
AutoSafe™ integrates seven core domains. Each is scored on a 0–100 scale and then combined using predefined weights to reflect real-world safety relevance.
| Domain | Weight | Impact Type |
|---|---|---|
|
Structural Safety & Crashworthiness Cabin integrity & biomechanical injury metrics. |
30% | High |
|
Occupant Protection (Adult & Child) Protection for all seating positions and age groups. |
20% | High |
|
Vulnerable Road User Protection Pedestrian & cyclist front-end design and AEB-VRU. |
10% | Medium |
|
Active & Preventive Safety Systems AEB, LKA/ELK, ISA/ACC & driver monitoring. |
20% | High |
|
Digital System Integrity & Cybersecurity OTA security, network protection, keyless & sensor security. |
10% | Medium + Caps |
|
EV Battery Safety & Thermal Management Thermal runaway, HV isolation & post-crash stability. |
10% | Medium + Caps |
|
Durability, Environmental Resistance & Production Consistency 10-year corrosion, fatigue and PCS-based production checks. |
10% | Background |
All domain weights are fixed and published by IAF. Future revisions may adjust sub-metrics, but not the overall balance between physical, digital and durability-focused safety areas.
Calculation Phases
The AutoSafe™ scoring engine follows a clear, five-phase sequence from raw test data to final class.
-
Domain Scoring
Each of the seven domains is scored on a 0–100 scale using detailed sub-metrics. -
Weighted Aggregation
Scores are multiplied by their weights and summed into a preliminary global score. -
Penalty Application
Critical safety issues trigger deductions or caps, especially in cyber and EV domains. -
Class Mapping
The adjusted score is mapped to A–F, subject to domain-specific caps. -
Compliance & Production Check
Random vehicle audits confirm that production vehicles match certification samples.
AutoSafe™ Classes A–F – Interpretation
Represents state-of-the-art safety performance across all domains.
- Outstanding crash & occupant protection.
- Highly capable AEB, lane support and DMS.
- Strong cybersecurity & EV battery safety.
- Excellent durability and production consistency.
Score band: 90–100 (no critical caps triggered).
Very high safety performance with only minor improvement areas.
- Strong crash & occupant metrics.
- Reliable active safety performance.
- Secure digital and EV systems with minor gaps.
Score band: 80–89 (no major penalty caps in critical domains).
Meets all AutoSafe™ baseline requirements and represents mainstream safety performance.
- Acceptable crash & occupant protection.
- Basic but functional active safety suite.
- EV & digital safety without critical defects.
Score band: 70–79 (full compliance, limited penalties).
Minimum acceptable safety performance, with notable weaknesses in one or more domains.
- Marginal crash or occupant protection in some configurations.
- Limited active safety coverage.
- Potential durability or production consistency concerns.
Score band: 60–69 and/or minor caps applied.
Indicates substantial safety deficits or domain-specific caps being triggered.
- Weak crash or occupant protection in critical scenarios.
- Unreliable active safety performance.
- Cybersecurity or EV battery shortcomings.
Score band: 40–59 or downgraded by critical caps.
Reserved for vehicles with severe, unacceptable safety risks.
- Catastrophic structural failures.
- Critical EV thermal or HV isolation hazards.
- Successful critical cyber intrusions.
- Non-functional AEB or major system failures.
Score band: 0–39 or forced by critical non-conformities.
Penalty & Cap Examples
Certain critical findings do not only reduce the numeric score; they also impose caps on the highest achievable class, regardless of performance in other areas.
- Cybersecurity cap: successful CAN bus intrusion or keyless relay attack → max Class E.
- EV thermal cap: pack-level thermal propagation → max Class D.
- HV isolation cap: post-crash high-voltage leakage above threshold → max Class E.
- AEB failure: AEB non-response in multiple core scenarios → automatic Class F.
Transparency & Publication
Each rated vehicle receives a structured AutoSafe™ report and a consumer-facing label with a QR code.
- Published: class (A–F), total score and domain breakdown.
- Documented: penalties, caps and their technical justification.
- Linked: QR code on the AutoSafe™ label points to the official record.
Detailed cyber and EV abuse test logs are available to manufacturers and regulators under controlled access, while consumers see a clear, high-level summary.
From Rating to Label
AutoSafe™ Consumer Safety Label & Certification
Once the rating is finalized, the vehicle becomes eligible for the official IAF AutoSafe™ label, which communicates the class and verification status directly to consumers at the point of choice.