So what did the Euro NCAP reveal about modern cars and safety flaws?
Euro NCAP, the European car safety assessment programme, has released its latest round of safety ratings, revealing both impressive results and notable shortcomings in several new vehicle models. While five cars achieved the highest five-star rating, some manufacturers fell short of expectations, highlighting the ongoing challenges in vehicle safety design.
Among the lower-scoring models were the Chery Tiggo 7 and Hyundai INSTER, both receiving 4 stars. The ratings were impacted by specific weaknesses in crash protection and safety assist technologies. Meanwhile, the Ford Tourneo Courier showed notable improvement, previously rated 3 stars, it has now been upgraded to 4 stars following structural enhancements and improved protection for rear seat passengers during a reassessment.
Moreover, in contrast, five new vehicles achieved five-star ratings, demonstrating excellence in occupant protection, vulnerable road user safety, and driver assistance systems. These top-rated models include the Polestar 4, Lynk & Co 02, Omoda 9, ZEEKR 7X, and MG P9 EV.
Each of these vehicles showed strong performance across a range of crash and active safety tests, underscoring the progress being made in automotive safety engineering. Additionally, Euro NCAP has added a rating for the Ford Puma Gen-E, a new electric variant of the 2022 Ford Puma.
Although a variant of an earlier model, its inclusion also reflects the organisation’s commitment to evaluating updated or reconfigured versions of existing vehicles to ensure ongoing safety compliance.
On top of that, Dr. Aled Williams, Programme Director of Euro NCAP, emphasized the importance of this work: “Since Euro NCAP began its work in 1997, car manufacturers have dramatically improved the safety of their products. We know that it is a challenge to achieve a five-star Euro NCAP rating for a new car, but it remains a challenge worth meeting…”
As the automotive industry continues to evolve with new technologies and model variants, Euro NCAP’s independent safety testing remains a critical tool. By revealing safety issues not apparent in brochures or showrooms, the programme helps consumers make better-informed choices and pushes manufacturers to maintain high safety standards beyond marketing claims.
