- More than 100 new cars were tested by Euro NCAP, Europe’s leading crash safety body, last year.
- In all five major categories, electric vehicles received the highest safety ratings.
- The electric vehicle was also the best performer overall.
Electric cars outperformed their gas-powered rivals in Euro NCAP safety tests last year, proving that car companies are taking the switch to electric vehicles seriously.
Euro NCAP, widely regarded as Europe’s leading crash safety testing organisation, inspected more than 100 new cars last year, subjecting them to rigorous tests to assess their ability to protect occupants, pedestrians and vulnerable road users in the event of a crash.
The new Mercedes-Benz CLA EV was the safest new car tested by Euro NCAP in 2025.
Photography: Patrick George
While most cars achieve the highly coveted five-star rating, it’s the details that matter, with Euro NCAP issuing individual scores for four categories, with the lowest score indicating the final star rating. It’s one thing to own a car with a protection rating of 84% for adult occupants, but it’s another thing to drive a car with a protection rating of 94%.
New Mercedes-Benz CLA Most impressively, it placed not one, but two, titles for Best Overall Performance and Best Small Family Car. The electric sedan received a near-perfect score of 94% in adult occupant protection and a class-leading rating of 93% for vulnerable road users, thanks to an advanced active hood and improved automatic emergency braking system.
“Mercedes has a long-standing belief in investing in vehicle safety, so it is fitting that the CLA wins the 2025 Performance of the Year title, as well as Best Small Family Car,” said Dr. Michel van Ratingen, Secretary General of Euro NCAP. “It was a close race, but Tesla was only slightly behind, and new entrants like Firefly and Leapmotor show how global competition continues to grow, which can only be a good thing for consumers who value safety as much as they value the style, practicality, driving performance and running costs of their next car.”
The updated Tesla Model 3 is the best in its class when it comes to safety, despite increasing competition from Chinese brands.
Photography: Andrei Nedelya
Updated Tesla Model 3 It continues on the glories of its predecessor, while improving the performance of the sedan through beautification of the “Highland”, especially in the field of child passenger protection. The Model 3 was the safest large family car tested by Euro NCAP last year, scoring 90% for adult protection, 93% for child protection, 82% for pedestrian protection and 87% for electronic safety aids.
the Tesla Model Y It also impressed the judges, who said the American crossover was now the “gold standard” for small SUVs, especially as it excels in child occupant protection and safety assistance systems. The Model Y was the best small SUV tested last year, scoring 91% for adult occupant protection, 93% for child occupant protection, 86% for vulnerable road users, and 92% for electronic safety aids.
New Mini Cooper E It was named the safest car in the city, with high scores in structural crash tests. The two-door electric vehicle scored higher than its gas-powered counterpart, with 89% for adult protection, 87% for child protection, 77% for pedestrian protection, and 79% for safety assistance systems.
The Polestar 3 outperforms its competitors
Photo by: Polestar
The newcomer has impressed in the large SUV segment this time around. the Smart #5 The electric crossover went on sale last year in Europe and quickly gained attention from Euro NCAP, which gave it a score of 88% for adult protection, 93% for child protection, 84% for vulnerable road users, and 92% for safety assistance systems.
And last but not least, Polestar 3 It was the safest executive car to undergo Euro NCAP crash safety tests last year. The Polestar 3 SUV, the largest model yet, scored 90% for adult occupant protection, 93% for child occupants, 79% for pedestrian protection, and 83% for its driving aids.
