LEUVEN, BELGIUM

The selection includes a wide variety of types of cars – from electric SUVs and luxury coupés to compact crossovers and large family cars. No less than 18 models achieve a five-star rating, Euro NCAP’s benchmark for outstanding safety performance and the definitive guide for consumers looking to choose a safe car.

While a five-star rating is now achieved by many vehicles, it is the percentage score in each of the four assessment categories that determines the best of the best and reassures consumers when choosing their next car. Each vehicle is measured for how well it protects adults and children in the event of an impact, as well as how it cares for other road users, including pedestrians and cyclists. A final category measures the effectiveness of the car’s active driver-assistance technologies.

The highest performers

The latest results continue the long-standing trend of car manufacturers achieving high scores in Adult Occupant Protection – the critical measure of how well a car will protect driver and adult passengers sitting in the front and rear seats. Euro NCAP conducts two frontal crash tests, a side impact crash test, and a pole crash test with crash test dummies of various sizes to evaluate the protection provided by the vehicle structure and restraint systems.

In the batch of 23 tested vehicles, nine scored 90 percent or higher for Adult Occupant Protection. Leading the group were the Leapmotor B10, a mid-size electric SUV, the Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupé, a luxurious coupé, and the Hongqi EHS7, also a mid-size electric SUV, with all three earning an impressive 93 percent and a five-star overall rating.

Besides the Leapmotor B10 and Hongqi EHS7, seven more models from the ever-popular mid-size SUV category were assessed, including the Kia EV5, Nissan Qashqai, Škoda Elroq and Enyaq, Subaru Solterra, Toyota bZ4X, and the recently updated Tesla Model Y. Of the batch, the popular Tesla car most impressed, receiving 91 percent for adult safety and 93 percent for child protection. It also received a high score for its driver assistance features, earning a solid five-star rating overall.

The Volvo EX90 performed exceptionally well in the large SUV segment. This seven-seat electric model scored 92 percent for Adult Occupant Protection, 93 percent for Child Occupant Protection, and 86 percent for Safety Assist. While Volvo has recently announced that LiDAR will become optional on the EX90, Euro NCAP is assured that the LiDAR plays no part in the vehicle’s safety performance as assessed here. Comparison of test results with those of the Polestar 3, previously tested with no LiDAR, confirms that the results of the two cars are very similar. Euro NCAP will continue to monitor this. Also tested were the Lucid Gravity and MG MGS9 PHEV were also assessed; both received an adult protection score of 83 percent, but the Gravity excelled with a child occupant safety score of 93 percent. All three received five stars.

The BYD SEAL 6 impressed with a 92 percent rating for adult protection and excellent driver assistance features. Its rival, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé, performed well overall but ended up with a four-star rating due to an Adult Occupant Protection score of 78 percent.

In the equally popular hatchback and crossover classes, models from CUPRA, SEAT, Toyota, and Volkswagen were assessed, with the five-star CUPRA Formentor – a crossover – scoring highest among these models for adult protection, at 91 percent, and the VW ID.3 standing out with its 87 percent child protection score.

Volkswagen’s Multivan, a large seven-seat people carrier, and Caddy, a smaller van-based family car, were both awarded four stars.