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Incorporating results from AAA’s Real-World Testing Program

3 minutes

Australia’s Vehicle Emissions Star Rating (VESR) now includes test results from the Australian Automobile Association’s (AAA) Real-World Testing Program. This initiative enhances transparency and accuracy in vehicle emissions and fuel consumption information by testing under local driving conditions.

Overview of the AAA Real-World Testing Program

The AAA Real-World Testing Program is Australia’s first independent initiative to evaluate vehicle emissions and fuel consumption under local driving conditions. Results are reported and available to consumers for free. In addition to traditional lab-based testing already available, this program captures and publishes data that better reflects how vehicles perform on Australian roads. These tests account for real traffic patterns, weather, terrain, and driving behaviour to provide efficiency results under typical Australian driving conditions.

Launched with a $14 million commitment from the Federal Government in the 2022 Budget, the program spans four years (2023–2027) and aims to test up to 200 vehicles, including cars, utes, and vans.

The program will soon expand to include testing of battery electric vehicles (BEVS), providing independent, real-world data on energy consumption and electric driving range. This information will support consumers looking for greater confidence when investing in new technologies.

Objectives and benefits

The primary goals of the program include:

  • Empowering consumer choice with accurate, real-world fuel efficiency data
  • Encouraging automotive innovation focused on real-world performance
  • Helping fleet managers meet environmental and fuel efficiency targets

By offering this data publicly, the program promotes more informed vehicle purchasing decisions, helping to lower running costs and deliver improved environmental outcomes.

An independent program

The Real-World Testing Program is funded by the Australian Government and managed by the Australian Automobile Association (AAA). With over 9.5 million members, the AAA brings considerable public trust and reach to this initiative. The AAA is national body representing Australia's major motoring clubs, including NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAA, RAC, RACT, and AANT. 

Testing is conducted on public roads using standardised, repeatable protocols developed in collaboration with industry and government stakeholders. These procedures ensure consistency across different vehicle models and conditions.

Vehicle brands are notified prior to the publication of any vehicle testing results. All the latest results are publicly accessible on the AAA’s Real-World results webpage. Relevant vehicles are also linked in the VESR tool for easy reference. 

Outlook

The inclusion of AAA’s Real-World Testing Program data into VESR provides an additional proactive step toward lower emissions, smarter consumer choices, and more responsible vehicle manufacturing.

For more information about the Real-World Testing Program, visit the AAA website

Vehicles currently assessed

Access the VESR profiles for vehicles that have been assessed under the AAA Real-World Testing Program to date below.

Note: This article was first published on 28 July 2025. Please check back regularly as new vehicle listings are added to the below list as they are released.

SUVs

Electric

Tesla Model Y Long Range (LY5LD) SUV (2022-2025)

Hybrid

Hyundai Kona 1.6 GDI HEV SUV Auto (2023-2025)

Hyundai Tucson 1.6 T-GDI HEV SUV Auto (2024-2025)

Kia Sportage SX Hybrid 2WD SUV (2025)

Petrol

Audi Q3 35 TFSI S-tronic 17/18 Inch Wheel SUV Auto (2021-2025)

Audi Q3 40 TFSI quattro S-tronic 20 Inch Wheel SUV Auto (2022-2025)

Audi Q5 45 TFSI quattro S-tronic SUV Auto (2020-2025)

Chery Tiggo 4 Pro 1.5T 2WD SUV Auto (2024-2025)

Chery Tiggo 7 Pro 1.6T 2WD SUV Auto (2023-2025)

Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max 2.0T 2WD SUV Auto (2024-2025) 

Cupra Formentor VZX 228TSI SUV Auto (2022-2023)

Ford Everest Ambiente 4WD SUV Auto (2022-2025)

Ford Puma Puma, ST-Line, ST-Line V SUV Auto (2020-2025)

Haval Jolion 1.5T 2WD SUV Auto (2021-2025)

Haval Jolion 1.5T DHT HEV 2WD SUV Auto (2022-2025)

Honda CR-V e:HEV RS SUV Auto (2023-2025)

Honda CR-V VTi X SUV CVT (2023-2025)

Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid 2WD SUV (2024-2025)

Hyundai Tucson 1.6 T-GDI SUV Auto (2024-2025) 

Hyundai Tucson 2.0 MPI SUV Auto (2021-2024)

Hyundai Venue 1.6 MPI SUV Auto (2019-2025)

Isuzu MU-X RJ 4x2 AT SUV Auto (2021-2025)

Kia Seltos GT-Line AWD SUV Auto (2022-2025)

Kia Seltos S SUV CVT (2019-2022)

Kia Sportage 2.0 MPI SUV Auto (2021-2025)

Mazda CX-5 SUV Manual (2017-2025)

Mazda CX-80 SUV Auto (2024-2025)

Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 FL SUV Auto (2024-2025) 

Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4MATIC FL SUV Auto (2023-2025)

Mercedes-Benz GLB 200 FL SUV Auto (2024-2025) 

Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 4M FL SUV Auto (2023-2025) 

Mercedes-Benz GLC 200 4MATIC SUV Auto (2025) 

Mercedes-Benz GLC Class GLC 300 4MATIC SUV Auto (2023-2025)

MG HS 1.5T DCT 2WD SUV Auto (2019-2025)

MG HS 1.5T DCT SUV Auto (2024-2025)

MG HS 2.0T DCT AWD SUV Auto (2021-2025)

MG ZS 1.5 4AT FWD SUV Auto (2017-2025)

Mitsubishi ASX ES SUV CVT (2020-2021)

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross ES SUV CVT (2023-2024)

Mitsubishi Outlander ES SUV CVT (2023-2025)

Mitsubishi Outlander LS SUV CVT (2022-2023)

Skoda Kamiq Signature SUV Auto (2023-2025)

Subaru Forester 2.0i SUV CVT (2021-2025)

Subaru Forester 2.5i SUV CVT (2021-2025)

Suzuki Vitara Turbo SUV Auto (2019-2025) 

Toyota RAV4 GX SUV CVT (2021-2025)

Toyota RAV4 GX/GXL/CRUISER SUV CVT (2021-2025)

Volkswagen Tiguan 110TSI Life SUV Auto (2023-2025)

Volkswagen T-Roc 110TSI STYLE SUV Auto (2022-2024)

Volvo XC60 B5 AWD SUV Auto (2021-2025)

Diesel

Audi Q5 35 TDI quattro S-Tronic 20 Inch Wheel SUV Auto (2022-2025)

Ford Everest Sport 4WD SUV Auto (2022-2025)

Hyundai Tucson 2.0 CRDi SUV Auto (2021-2024)

Isuzu MU-X RJ 4x4 AT SUV Auto (2021-2025)

Kia Sportage SX SUV Auto (2019-2025)

Mercedes-Benz GLE 300 d 4MATIC SUV Auto (2023-2025) 

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport GSR SUV Auto (2024-2025)

Toyota Fortuner SUV Auto (2020-2025)

Note: 

The information provided is correct as at the time of publication. The AAA does not warrant the currency or accuracy of the information thereafter. AAA will not be responsible for any claims, damages, costs or losses following any reliance placed on any information provided via the Mediums. It is your responsibility to ensure that any information provided via the Mediums are relevant and appropriate to you. 

The AAA provides no warranty and carries no responsibility in relation to this.

Mandated lab results' refer to the laboratory testing a vehicle undergoes before release on the Australian market. Fuel consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emission figures quoted are measured in accordance with the Australian Government’s regulated standard, Australian Design Rule 81/02, and published on the Australian Government’s Green Vehicle Guide

Author

NSW Government and Australian Automobile Association (AAA)

Published

November 14, 2025