Euro NCAP safety tests: Chinese models earn five stars

Euro NCAP has published the results of its latest safety assessments, conducted under the more demanding 2026 protocols. The three standout models share one feature: they are all Chinese.

The vehicles assessed included the CUPRA Raval, Geely E2, GAC Aion UT and Leapmotor B05. It was the three Chinese contenders that secured the coveted five-star rating.

The outcome marks a contrast with the scores previously achieved by Chinese vehicles, a point Euro NCAP itself highlighted in a statement.

Aled Williams, the programme director, said: “The safety of Chinese vehicles has progressed dramatically since Euro NCAP first tested a China-made car in 2010. There is still a long way to go, but today’s results clearly show that Chinese manufacturers continue to strive to meet the high standards European consumers expect”.

Euro NCAP results for the Chinese models

Designed and built in Europe, the Aion UT earned five stars, scoring 66% for safe driving, 74% for collision avoidance, 91% for crash protection and 88% for post-crash safety.

However, the organisation warned that essential controls rely too heavily on the central screen. It also recorded a success rate of only 68% for speed-limit recognition.

The Geely E2, which costs around €9,000 in China, delivered a high level of protection across every category: 79% for safe driving; 72% for collision avoidance; 86% for crash protection; and 95% for post-crash safety. It also stands out for including a child-detection system as standard.

Nevertheless, its autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system showed some inconsistency. In crash testing, the model also lost points because it did not provide sufficient protection for the driver’s legs in a frontal impact.

Finally, the Leapmotor B05 performed especially well for crash protection, scoring 92%. Its AEB system proved “exceptional” in high-speed and junction scenarios. It was, however, criticised for lacking a restraint system that can be adjusted for occupants of different heights.

Five stars only with an optional package

The sole European model assessed, the CUPRA Raval, could not match its Chinese rivals, receiving four stars with its standard safety equipment. Its safe-driving score of 58% and collision-avoidance score of 66% were the decisive factors.

To achieve the sought-after five-star rating, the Raval requires the optional safety package, which lifts its safe-driving and collision-avoidance scores to 72% and 77%, respectively.

Euro NCAP identified the Raval’s comfort, infotainment system and physical protection as strengths. It achieved maximum points in the side-impact and full-width frontal-impact tests, with 91% for crash protection and 95% for post-crash safety.

Even so, Euro NCAP noted that the Raval is not fitted with a child-detection system.

“It would be preferable for the European brand CUPRA to offer active technologies as standard, but a safety package is a compromise,” the official said.

Other results announced

Euro NCAP also released further results assessed under the 2025 protocols. The Kia K4, initially tested by ANCAP in Australia, has now been validated in Europe through supplementary tests and received four stars in base specification and five stars with the brand’s optional safety package.

The Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabrio, the convertible version of the CLE Coupé tested last year, inherited the five-star rating awarded to the coupé.