Euro NCAP crash tests offer a clear snapshot of vehicle safety in 2025. Here are the electric cars that earned five stars, setting the benchmark for occupant protection and driver assistance.
Safest electric cars of 2025, how Euro NCAP rates vehicle safety
As 2025 draws to a close, the latest Euro NCAP crash tests provide a comprehensive assessment of vehicle safety across the European market. Euro NCAP evaluates cars using four core indicators, offering a standardized and transparent framework that is increasingly relevant also for U.S. consumers looking at global safety benchmarks.
Euro NCAP safety criteria explained
- The Adult Occupant score measures how well a vehicle protects the driver and adult passengers in different types of crashes, focusing on structural integrity, seat belts, and airbag performance.
- The Child Occupant rating assesses safety for children, considering crash-test performance as well as the compatibility and correct installation of child restraint systems.
- Vulnerable Road Users evaluates how effectively a vehicle protects pedestrians and cyclists in the event of a collision, along with its ability to avoid impacts through detection and automatic emergency braking systems.
- Safety Assist measures the effectiveness of driver assistance technologies, including lane keeping, autonomous braking, and speed assistance, rewarding vehicles that actively help prevent accidents.
At Rinnovabili, we focused on the 10 electric vehicles sold in Europe that achieved the highest possible safety rating, five stars, in the Euro NCAP 2025 rankings. Below is the full list of the safest battery electric vehicles of the year, ranked by overall score.
The 10 safest electric cars of 2025
1. Mercedes CLA
The Mercedes CLA takes first place with outstanding results across all categories. Classified as a small family car, it also received the Euro NCAP Advanced award. Safety performance is consistently high, with 94 percent for adult occupant protection, 89 percent for children, 93 percent for vulnerable road users, and 85 percent for safety assist systems, confirming it as the safest electric car of 2025.
2. Firefly
Second place goes to Firefly, the new brand launched in Europe by Chinese EV giant NIO, though not yet available in Italy. Also classified as a small family car, Firefly delivers excellent adult occupant protection at 96 percent and strong child safety at 87 percent. Protection for vulnerable road users stands at 82 percent, while safety assist systems score a solid 86 percent.
3. Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3, in the large family car category, scores 90 percent for adult occupant protection and an impressive 93 percent for child safety. Safety assist systems reach 87 percent, highlighting Tesla’s advanced driver assistance technologies and their role in accident prevention.
4. Tesla Model Y
In the small SUV category, the Tesla Model Y achieves 91 percent for adult occupants and 93 percent for children, making it a strong family-oriented option. Protection for vulnerable road users reaches 86 percent, while safety assist systems stand out with an excellent 92 percent score.
5. Leapmotor B10
The Leapmotor B10, classified as a small family car, delivers a balanced and high level of safety in 2025. Both adult and child occupant protection score 93 percent. Vulnerable road user protection reaches 84 percent, while safety assist systems score 85 percent.
6. Smart #5
The Smart #5, categorized as a large SUV, posts solid results across all tests. Adult occupant protection reaches 88 percent, while child safety scores an excellent 93 percent. Protection for vulnerable road users stands at 84 percent, and safety assist systems achieve a strong 92 percent.
7. Volvo EX90
The Volvo EX90, a large SUV, reinforces the brand’s long-standing reputation for safety. Adult occupant protection scores 92 percent, child safety reaches 93 percent, and vulnerable road user protection stands at 82 percent. Safety assist systems achieve a respectable 86 percent.
8. Lynk & Co 02
The Lynk & Co 02, classified as a small family car, offers well-balanced safety performance. Adult occupant protection scores 90 percent, child safety 87 percent, and vulnerable road user protection 83 percent. Safety assist systems reach 89 percent.
9. Hongqi EHS7
The Hongqi EHS7, a luxury Chinese SUV currently sold in France and Germany, delivers solid results in the large SUV category. Adult occupant protection reaches 93 percent, child safety 85 percent, and vulnerable road user protection 82 percent. Safety assist systems score 83 percent.
10. IM IM5
Rounding out the ranking is the IM IM5, part of the new IM brand launched in Europe by the Anglo-Chinese group behind MG. Classified as a large family car, it achieves 89 percent for adult occupants, 85 percent for children, 85 percent for vulnerable road users, and 87 percent for safety assist systems.
