EVs Now Dominate Europe’s Crash Safety Charts

Euro NCAP crash tested over 100 new cars last year. EVs came out on top in every category.

Tesla Model Y Euro NCAP crash test

Photo by: Euro NCAP

Iulian Dnistran

By: Iulian Dnistran

Jan 16, at 4:22am ET

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Over 100 new cars were tested by Euro NCAP, Europe’s leading crash safety authority, last year.
In all five major categories, EVs received the highest safety ratings.
An EV was also the overall best performer.

Electric cars surpassed their gas-powered rivals in Euro NCAP’s safety tests last year, proving that car companies are taking the EV transition seriously.

Widely regarded as Europe’s leading organization for crash safety testing, Euro NCAP evaluated over 100 new cars last year, putting them through rigorous tests to assess their ability to protect passengers, pedestrians, and vulnerable road users in a crash.

The new Mercedes-Benz CLA EV was the safest new car tested by Euro NCAP in 2025.

Photo by: Patrick George

While most cars got the highly coveted five-star rating, it’s the details that matter, as Euro NCAP releases individual scores for four categories, with the lowest score indicating the final star rating. And it’s one thing to have a car with an 84% protection score for adult occupants, and another to drive a car that got 94%.

The new Mercedes-Benz CLA impressed the most, putting not one, but two titles under its belt, as the best overall performer and the best small family car. The electric sedan got a near-perfect 94% score in adult occupant protection and a class-leading 93% rating for vulnerable road users, thanks to its advanced active hood and refined automatic emergency braking system.

“Mercedes has a long-standing belief in investing in vehicle safety, so it feels appropriate for the CLA to earn the title of 2025’s Best Performer, as well as Best Small Family Car,” said Dr. Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General of Euro NCAP. “It was a close-run competition, however. Tesla was only fractionally 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 style, practicality, driving performance, and running costs from their next car.”

The refreshed Tesla Model 3 is the best in its class when it comes to safety, despite increasing competition from Chinese brands.

Photo by: Andrei Nedelea

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The updated Tesla Model 3 treads on its predecessor’s laurels, with the “Highland” facelift improving on the sedan’s performance, particularly in the Child Occupant 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 its electronic safety aids.

The Tesla Model Y also impressed the judges, who said that the American crossover is now “the gold standard” for small SUVs, specifically excelling in child occupant protection and safety assist systems. The Model Y was the best small SUV tested last year, earning 91% for adult occupant protection, 93% for child occupant protection, 86% for vulnerable road users and 92% for electronic safety aids.

The new Mini Cooper E got the award for the safest city car, with high scores in structural crash testing. The two-door EV scored higher than its gas-powered counterpart, earning an 89% score for adult protection, 87% for child protection, 77% for pedestrian protection and 79% for safety assist systems.

The Polestar 3 surpassed its competitors

Photo by: Polestar

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A newcomer impressed in the large SUV segment this time. The Smart #5 electric crossover went on sale last year in Europe and quickly got the attention of Euro NCAP, which gave it an 88% score for adult protection, 93% for child protection, 84% for vulnerable road users and 92% for safety assistance systems.

Last but not least, the Polestar 3 was the safest executive car to go through Euro NCAP’s crash safety testing last year. Polestar’s largest model to date, the Polestar 3 SUV got a 90% score for adult occupant protection, 93% for child occupants, 79% for pedestrian protection and 83% for its driving aids.

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