Car safety – that thing we all praise until the bill comes. In 2025, Euro NCAP showed us again that it’s not all about flashy logos. While some old cats are still skimping on sensors, newcomers from the East are proving that safety can be affordable. And compared to last year, the picture is even more amusing – or tragic, depending on which car you drive.
Imagine: You're behind the wheel of a new SUV that promises the world, but when a crash occurs, its safety turns out to be more like a lottery than a guarantee. Euro NCAP 2025, that relentless judge of car safety, has surprised us again in 2025. Chinese manufacturers, Japanese masters and even Turkish newcomers have grabbed the crown, while European giants sometimes barely reach the minimum. But hey, there's something good in every car - even those with three stars can make sense ... but we believe you can do better. In this article, we reveal the numbers, trends and irony that will make you laugh, while also reminding you: safety is not a fad, it's a necessity. Read on to find out which car will really protect you, not just impress you on Instagram.
2025: Asian and Turkish wave takes over security throne
This year is like a race where the favorites have run out of fuel. Euro NCAP 2025 has tested a bunch of new models and the results are clear: Asia and Turkey are not only following, but leading. Let's take a look at some of the stars who shone with five stars.
Firefly Firefly – this little anonymous guy scored a whopping 96 % for adult protection, 87 % for children, 82 % for vulnerable participants and 86 % for assistance systems. Who would have thought that the Chinese newcomer would become king? He is small but smart – like that friend who always finds a way out of trouble.
Then there is Togg T10X, a Turkish SUV that was barely known last year. With 94 % for adults, 85 % for children, 79 % for vulnerable and 80 % for assistance, it proved that it is possible to make top-notch safety without a European pedigree. Ironically, the former “students” are now teaching the old masters. And Togg T10F? Even better with 95 %, 85 %, 78 % and 80 % – as if to say: “Hey, Europe, how about you?”
The Japanese, of course, are not far behind. Mazda 6e It showed typical Japanese reliability with 93 % for adults, 93 % for children, 74 % for vulnerable and 77 % for assistance. There is no fanfare, it just works – like a well-oiled machine that won't let you down.
And let's not forget Tesla Model 3, which remains the electric alpha male – the highest rated of all – therefore the safest: 90 % adults, 93 % children, 89 % vulnerable, 87 % assistance. Confident, no fuss – just technology that protects you as if you had a personal guardian angel.
Other Chinese players, such as IM IM5 and IM IM6, they revolve around 90 % for adults and 85-87 % for the rest. Smart #5 and with the 88 %, 93 %, 84 % and 92 % it proves that small cars can have big brains. Polestar 3 (90 %, 93 %, 79 %, 83 %) brings Scandinavian Zen with a safety armor, ZEEKR 7X (91 %, 90 %, 78 %, 83 %) shows that the Chinese are not copying, but innovating.
All of this points to a trend: 2025 is the year when the East writes security history while the West is still reading old books.
Europeans: Five stars, but often with optional extras
European brands still know how to make a solid car, but sometimes it feels like they treat safety as a luxury item – pay extra if you want to survive. Still, some are solid.
Audi A6 e-tron It scored 92 % for adults, 91 % for children, 75 % for vulnerable and 80 % for assistance – very good, but not perfect. BMW X3 (88 %, 84 %, 77 %, 80 %) is a typical Bavarian: precise, but not always exciting. Too bad Octavia (85 %, 82 %, 81 %, 80 %) and VW ID.4 (89 %, 87 %, 84 %, 76 %) are reliable, like old friends.
But then comes VW T-Cross with 74 %, 81 %, 60 % and 57 % – three stars, which is almost embarrassing for a brand that praises “German precision”. And Ford Transit Custom (86 %, 86 %, 79 %, 66 %) shows that Europe knows how, but doesn't always want to. A cynic would say: "Why install all the sensors when we can sell an option package?" But on the positive side: these cars are still better protected than a bike without a helmet.
European security failures in the last two years
Ah, the last two years in the world of Euro NCAP have been like a comic drama for European automotive giants – where they once set the standards, now they sometimes barely break ground while eastern newcomers applaud with safety crowns on their heads.
In 2024, the scene was full of disappointments: the Dacia Duster, that rugged budget SUV, scored just 70 % for adult protection, 84 % for children, 60 % for vulnerable occupants and 57 % for assistance systems – three stars, meaning it’s great for off-road adventures until you hit a serious obstacle where it will teach you to appreciate life the cheap way. Its bigger brother, the Dacia Bigster, was no better with 69 %, 85 %, 60 % and 57 % – again three, as if to say, “safety is an option for the rich”, but hey, at least it’s spacious and takes you where others won’t go without complaining. The Renault Symbioz and Renault Captur joined the French drama with identical scores of around 73-76 % for adults and assistance under 70 % – four stars, a step back but still better than nothing; they are stylish, urban and remind you that style is sometimes worth more than complete protection, like a good wine that leaves you a little dizzy.
Fast forward to 2025, and the Volkswagen T-Cross, that little German SUV that should be an agile city warrior, falls to 74 % adults, 81 % children, 60 % vulnerable and 57 % assistance – three stars, which for a brand that praises “German precision”, is almost embarrassing, but on the positive side, it is compact and you can park it anywhere. Its larger sibling, the Volkswagen Caravelle, a spacious family van, scores 86 % adults and children, 79 % vulnerable, but only 66 % assistance – three stars, great for picnics and trips until it reaches a junction where it will at least transport you comfortably to the hospital. These “misfires” show that Europe sometimes skimps on sensors to save euros, but there is charm in each of these cars: they are affordable, practical and teach you that driving is still an adventure, not just a statistic – but maybe it’s time for the old cats to learn a trick from the newcomers.
2024: The year the stars lost their shine
If you think 2025 is tough, look at last year – a veritable field of disappointments. Many models who should have known better failed the test.
Suzuki Swift: 67 % adults, 65 % children, 76 % vulnerable, 62 % assistance – three stars. Small and fun, but in a crash more of a lottery than a guarantee.
Dacia Duster: 70 %, 84 %, 60 %, 57 % – three again. Cheap, but average in terms of safety.
Jeep Avenger: 79 %, 70 %, 59 %, 53 % – three stars, which is quite ironic for an “adventurer”.
Dacia Bigster (69 %, 85 %, 60 %, 57 %), Ford Tourneo Courier (62 %, 80 %, 81 %, 54 %) and Renault Symbiosis (73 %, 80 %, 76 %, 69 %) show that “affordable” often means compromising on safety.
Compare this to this year's JAECOO 7 PHEV (81 %, 80 %, 80 %, 80 %) – similar price range as Dacia Bigster, but the difference is like between coffee from a machine and espresso from Italy.
When the numbers reveal the truth – Euro NCAP 2025
To summarize: The top 2025 models are achieving over 90 % for adults and at least 80 % for assistance. Those with four or less are floating around 70 % – it’s not just a number, it’s the difference between a bruise and a hospital stay.
Dongfeng Box (69 %, 81 %, 67 %, 77 %) is an extreme: safe in theory, mediocre in practice. But hey, at least it's cheap - and maybe it reminds you that life isn't all about saving.
Trends show: security is no longer in steel, but in software. Cars like Smart #5 or Togg T10X they actively avoid collisions, monitor intersections and even wake up a sleepy driver. On the other hand, Dacia and Suzuki still believe in “when it happens, it happens”. On the positive side: these cars also have their charms – they are light, agile and teach you to appreciate life.
Conclusion: security is at a "peacock" place in Asia - also due to technologies and better sensors
At the end of the day, it is Euro NCAP 2025 like a cold shower for the automotive industry: the end of the illusion that “European” is synonymous with “safe”. The Chinese, Japanese and Turks have taken the reins, with models that not only promise, but deliver – and without astronomical prices. Of course, European giants like Audi or BMW still shine in some respects, but often with optional extras that should be standard. The cynic in me says: “Why pay for sensors when you can count on luck?” But seriously, I find something positive in every car – even in the three-star ones, there is a charm of simplicity that reminds you of the old days when driving was an adventure.
My personal opinion? If you’re looking for a family car, aim for at least 90 % for adults, 85 % for kids and 80 % for assistance – it’s not luxury, it’s smart business. Prices? Depends on the model, but newcomers like Togg or Firefly prove that top-notch safety isn’t reserved for the rich. And if you’re curious about more, check out the official sources – maybe even share your thoughts in the comments. After all, safety is a topic that connects us all. Drive smart, not just fast.
Finally, here is a list of cars from Euro NCAP 2025, ranked from safest (highest average scores across the four categories) to least safe: Tesla Model 3 (average 89.75 %), Lynk & Co 02 (87.25 %), IM IM5 (86.5 %), Polestar 3 (86.25 %), Zeekr 7X (85.5 %), Voyah Courage (85.25 %), MG MG56 EV (84.75 %), Geely EX5 (84.75 %), Mazda 6e (84.25 %), Polestar 4 (84.25 %), VW ID.4 (84 %), Omoda 9 (84 %), VW Tayron (83.75 %), BYD Sealion 7 (83.75 %), Cupra Terramar (83.5 %), Hyundai Ioniq 9 (82.75 %), VW Golf (82.5 %), Audi Q3 (83 %), MG MG55 EV (83 %), Skoda Octavia (82 %), Cupra Born (82 %), BMW X3 (82.25 %), Audi Q5 (81.75 %), Chery Tiggo 7 (81.25 %), Chery Tiggo 8 (81.25 %), EBRO S700 (81.25 %), EBRO S800 (81.25 %), Hongqi EH55 (80.5 %), Jaecoo 7 PHEV (80.25 %), Ford Tourneo Custom (79.25 %), VW Caravelle (79.25 %), Cadillac OPTIQ (78.5 %), Kia EV3 (77.75 %), DS No8 (76.5 %), Opel/Vauxhall Grandland (76.5 %), Peugeot 3008 (76.5 %), Peugeot 5008 (76.5 %), Dongfeng Box (73.5 %), Hyundai Inster (72 %), VW T-Cross (68 %).
