Electric SUVs are coming like on an assembly line, but which one is really worth a family hug? The Polestar 3 not only protects, but almost literally hugs your children. And then there's China with models that shine... almost. Euro NCAP 2025 reveals the safest SUVs of 2025!
2025 brings not only a wave of new electric SUVs, but also a new level of expectations. Customers are no longer just looking for speed, design or range – safety has become the main star of showrooms. And that's where the Euro NCAP 2025 with its team of test dummies, scrutiny, and cold objectivity. The latest round of testing, released on April 9, served up a real security drama – starring a Swedish minimalist, Chinese challengers, and Iberian temperament.
Six fresh SUV models and one revamped classic sedan went through the hell of frontal collisions, side impacts, automatic braking and vulnerable road user recognition tests. The result? They all scored 5 stars, but behind those stars lies a much more complex story. From the almost perfect child protection in the Polestar 3, to the “just a little torn” airbag in the Hongqi – each brand brought something different.
Let's take a closer look. Each SUV has its own story, its own approach to safety, and its own unique features that are worth knowing before you get behind the wheel. If you think five stars is all you need to know – think again. So Euro NCAP 2025!
Polestar 3: Swedish Zen for Kids (and Adults)
If child safety were an Olympic discipline, the Polestar 3 would take home the gold. With 93 % for child protection this large electric SUV has surpassed everything in the last nine years of Euro NCAP 2025 testing. And no, this wasn't during the era of friendlier protocols – Polestar 3 achieved this under the most stringent conditions ever. Frontal collision, side impact – the Swedish fortress for five seats remains unshakable. An airbag status display on the passenger side and a system that detects if a child is left in the car? Yes, it has that too.
BYD SEALION 7: A Chinese lion with a child's heart
China's BYD may be a "newbie", but its SEALION 7 bites like a charm. Also 93 % for child protection, but that's where the similarities with Polestar end. It's a bit lame in other categories, but it still earned 5 stars. He may not be a king yet, but he is certainly a dangerous prince in the game. Euro NCAP 2025 with a very interesting rating.
Cupra Terramar: Spanish blood, German discipline
For many, Cupra is synonymous with sporty heart, but the Terramar is more of a family “SUV with character”. As a plug-in hybrid (or petrol model), it performed honorably in the test: 87 % child protection, excellent adult protection (89 %), also good for pedestrians. All wrapped up in a temperamental Spanish-German package.
Geely EX5: Great intentions, poor weld
The Chinese Geely EX5 has style, a desire for excellence and quite a few points for technology (Safety Assist 83 %). But… in a collision it peeled off the weld on the A-pillar. Oops. Child protection is a solid 87 %, but due to the lack of a child detection system in the car, a few points did not pass. Five stars, with a comment.
Hongqi E-HS9: A Chinese SUV-sized sedan with a soft spot
The Hongqi (meaning “red flag”) is not just the protocol vehicle of China’s elite – it’s now an SUV too. Glitzy on the outside, electric on the inside, and safe too – to the point where The driver's airbag deploys incorrectly.. A small tear, but enough for a penalty in head protection. Still 5 stars, with that "hm..." feeling.
JAECOO 7 PHEV: PHEV with a "crumpled" curtain
JAECOO (another fresh Chinese brand) has brought a PHEV SUV that is everything you want on paper. But in practice… during a head-on collision the air curtain refused to come out – it got stuck in the C-pillar. Who would have thought that the “clip” would decide safety. Fortunately, it was fixed in production, the rating remains 5 stars.
Audi A6 (Avant/Sportback): German standard with current upgrade
For classic lovers – the Audi A6. Not an SUV, but still worth mentioning: 87 % adult protection, 88 % for children and five safety stars for the 2024 model. Even though it acts like a reliable uncle at a family picnic, it still knows how to react quickly. It's lucky that it did so well in the Euro NCAP 2025.
Conclusion: Children come first, but details count
If you're looking for a family SUV that will survive the apocalypse (or at least a car accident), this is it. Polestar 3 your new hero. Child safety? The highest in nine years. Adults are fine too. All wrapped up in a minimalist Scandinavian box with an electric drive that manages to be both serious and cool.
But the competition is not sleeping. Chinese manufacturers clearly know how to hit the nail on the head – at least in tests. But quite a few of them have fallen short on smaller but important details. Improperly placed welds, torn airbags, stuck curtains – these are no small things when it comes to life. Euro NCAP with its independent tests proves once again that safety is not just advertising, but the result of rigorous testing and constant monitoring.
For those still considering a purchase: all tested models received 5 stars, but the differences between them are significant. If you want uncompromising safety for your children, the Polestar 3 sets the bar high. And given that drivers often make decisions based on “feel”, this time let the feeling of safety prevail.
Price? The Polestar 3 starts at around 92.000 €, which isn't cheap – but it might seem cheap when you think about what you just read.
