Euro NCAP introduced its most comprehensive safety assessment overhaul in 2026. The new framework evaluates vehicles across four distinct safety stages. Each stage receives a percentage score out of 100 points.
The four stages include Safe Driving, Crash Avoidance, Crash Protection, and Post-Crash Safety. Safe Driving examines technologies that assist drivers and occupants during normal operation. Crash Avoidance assesses systems that prevent or mitigate critical incidents through warnings or autonomous intervention.
Crash Protection evaluates traditional crash protection elements like vehicle structure, seatbelts, and airbags. Post-Crash Safety addresses emergency response during the golden hour after a collision. This stage covers rescue information, advanced eCall systems, and multi-collision braking.
The 2026 protocols place greater emphasis on real-world driving scenarios. Driver monitoring systems now require continuous eye- and head-tracking for five-star ratings. Vehicles must also provide dedicated physical controls for core functions like indicators and hazard lights.
Test Results Overview
Euro NCAP released safety performance results for four new electric vehicles. The tested models include the CUPRA Raval, AION UT, GEELY E2, and Leapmotor B05. Three Chinese brands achieved the maximum five-star rating.
The CUPRA Raval earned four stars with standard equipment. An optional Safety Pack raises its rating to five stars. This dual-rating approach reflects different equipment levels available to consumers.
Chinese manufacturers now compete directly with established European brands. The AION UT, GEELY E2, and Leapmotor B05 all secured five-star ratings. These results demonstrate significant progress in automotive safety from Chinese carmakers.
CUPRA Raval Safety Performance
The CUPRA Raval is a sporty electric supermini competing with the Kia EV2 and Renault 5. It achieves a four-star overall rating in standard specification. The optional Safety Pack elevates performance to five-star level.
Standard Equipment Scores
The Raval scores 58 percent for Safe Driving without the Safety Pack. Crash Avoidance reaches 66 percent in standard form. Crash Protection achieves an impressive 91 percent score. Post-Crash Safety systems earn 95 percent.
The vehicle features reliable lane-departure prevention technology. Strong vehicle-to-vehicle automatic emergency braking protection is included. Physical protection performs well across multiple crash scenarios.
Safety Pack Enhancements
The Safety Pack significantly increases active technologies fitted to the car. Safe Driving improves to 72 percent with the pack installed. Crash Avoidance rises to 77 percent.
The pack includes predictive adaptive cruise control and forward traffic alert. These features enhance the car’s ability to respond to potential danger. Low-speed driving and junction scenarios benefit most from these additions.
Interior and Occupant Protection
The Raval scored high marks for cabin comfort and infotainment user interface. Robust seatbelt usage detection and driver monitoring systems are present. However, it lacks a child presence detection system.
Physical protection impressed Euro NCAP experts during testing. The car scored full points in side barrier impacts. Full-width frontal rigid tests also achieved maximum scores. A centre airbag provided good performance during far-side impacts.
AION UT Five-Star Achievement
The AION UT is an electric family hatchback from GAC. It competes with the Mini Aceman, Renault 4, and Volkswagen ID. Polo. This Chinese brand achieves a five-star safety rating despite being relatively new.
Safety Stage Scores
Safe Driving reaches 66 percent for the AION UT. Crash Avoidance scores 74 percent across test scenarios. Crash Protection achieves 91 percent, matching the CUPRA Raval. Post-Crash Safety earns 88 percent.
The vehicle includes all the latest crash avoidance systems. These systems perform well across most test scenarios. Frontal monitoring for cars and motorcyclists at junctions showed room for improvement.
Control Interface Concerns
Experts note the UT relies heavily on the centre screen for key driving controls. Infotainment scores better when using buttons and switches. This finding aligns with Euro NCAP’s emphasis on physical controls.
The road-based speed limit recognition system achieved 68 percent accuracy. This score dropped points in the Safe Driving assessment. The vehicle also lacks a child presence detection system with warning capability.
Crash Protection Strength
The AION UT proves to be a strong all-rounder in safety performance. Crash Protection at 91 percent demonstrates solid structural integrity. Good Post-Crash Safety performance supports emergency response efforts.
GEELY E2 Market Leadership
The GEELY E2, also called EX2 in some markets, earned China’s best-selling car title last year. This small electric hatchback demonstrates high-level protection across all categories. It becomes Geely’s first model to earn five-star ratings from both Euro NCAP and ANCAP under 2026 protocols.
Top-Tier Safe Driving Score
Safe Driving reaches an impressive 79 percent for the E2. This score leads among the four tested vehicles. Good use of physical controls contributes to this strong performance.
The infotainment system achieves a total score of 80 percent. Physical buttons and switches support key driving control commands. Standard direct Child Presence Detection earned extra marks.
Crash Avoidance Inconsistencies
Crash Avoidance scores 72 percent for the GEELY E2. The automatic emergency braking system showed inconsistent performance. AEB performed well in certain scenarios yet dropped significant points in others.
Crash Protection achieves 86 percent overall. The E2 dropped considerable points for driver leg protection in front offset crashes. Otherwise, physical protection scores remained good across other impact types.
Occupant Restraint Observations
Euro NCAP testers noted a seatbelt issue during assessment. The seatbelt for the 10-year-old child partially slipped off the shoulder. This observation highlights areas for improvement in restraint system design.
Post-Crash Safety earns an excellent 95 percent score. This performance supports effective emergency response after collisions.
Leapmotor B05 Crash Protection Excellence
The Leapmotor B05 competes with Europe’s best-known family hatchbacks. It takes on rivals like the Renault Megane and Volkswagen Golf. This relatively new electric Chinese car scores well across all testing disciplines.
Balanced Safety Performance
Safe Driving reaches 66 percent for the B05. Crash Avoidance achieves 77 percent, the highest among the four vehicles. Crash Protection leads at 92 percent. Post-Crash Safety earns 89 percent.
The car’s AEB performance was exceptional in high-speed scenarios. Junction scenarios also showed strong automatic emergency braking capability. A near-perfect lane departure prevention system complements these features.
Crash Test Maximum Scores
Crash testing revealed maximum points in side barrier impacts. Side pole impacts also achieved full scores. The centre airbag ensured full protection against occupant head contact.
Pelvis and femur protection for vulnerable road users scored 100 percent. This performance demonstrates strong external safety features. Crash Protection at 92 percent leads the tested group.
Missing Safety Features
The B05 includes a Child Presence Detection system. However, it lacks an adaptive restraint system for different occupant statures. The vehicle does not recognise unsafe front seat passenger positions. Feet-on-dashboard scenarios remain undetected.
Controls for comfort and infotainment would benefit from greater use of physical switches. This finding mirrors concerns raised about the AION UT interface.
Additional 2025 Protocol Results
Euro NCAP also released results assessed under 2025 protocols. The Kia K4 earned four stars with standard equipment. An optional Safety Pack raises its rating to five stars.
The Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabrio achieved five stars. This four-seat soft-top variant was tested in coupé format last year. Scores carry across to the cabriolet version.
Dual Rating System Explanation
Euro NCAP employs a dual rating system for certain vehicles. The base rating reflects safety performance and equipment fitted as standard. The optional rating shows the higher safety level with an optional safety pack installed.
Manufacturers must offer the safety pack as a standalone option. Strict minimum fitment rates across the market must be met. Over time, features once locked behind these packs must transition into standard equipment.
Chinese Brand Safety Evolution
Automotive safety across Chinese vehicles has evolved dramatically since 2010. Euro NCAP tested its first Chinese-manufactured car that year. Today’s results clearly demonstrate continued progress.
Chinese models account for seven percent of all EU new car sales. Nearly 10 percent of UK new car sales went to Chinese brands last year. The number of Chinese cars assessed by Euro NCAP has risen nearly ten-fold since 2021.
Sources: Euro NCAP
