Euro NCAP completed 108 vehicle safety assessments in 2025, marking its most active year since the organization began testing in 1997. The results, published in the organization’s InReview 2025 report, show 98 percent of tested vehicles achieved four-star ratings or higher despite economic challenges facing European automakers.
Highlights
- Record volume: 108 assessments across more than 50 global brands, with 98 percent earning four stars or higher
- Top performer: Mercedes-Benz CLA became the first vehicle to earn Best Performer honors twice
- EV dominance: Battery-electric vehicles accounted for over 58 percent of all tested models
- New protocols: Euro NCAP 2026 framework will introduce updated safety standards across four key stages
2025 Testing Results
The Mercedes-Benz CLA earned the year’s Best Performer designation. The vehicle previously received this recognition in 2019, making it the first model to achieve the distinction twice in Euro NCAP’s history.
Several emerging EV manufacturers entered the European market with strong safety results. Brands including Togg, firefly, and EXLANTIX achieved positive ratings in their initial assessments.
Safety-Driven Design Changes
Euro NCAP testing prompted corrective action from at least one manufacturer during 2025. When assessors identified a seat latch failure in the MG 3, the automaker redesigned the affected components and issued a market recall in response to the findings.
Media Engagement
Euro NCAP reported substantial growth in audience reach during 2025:
- Media interest: Over 421,000 mentions, a 54 percent increase from 2024
- Video views: Top YouTube video reached nearly 450,000 views
- Social media: Nearly 3.8 million total impressions, up 47.7 percent year-over-year
Sustainability and Commercial Vehicle Programs
The Green NCAP initiative transitioned to a full Life Cycle Assessment approach in 2025. The methodology evaluates environmental impact from manufacturing through end-of-life disposal.
Euro NCAP’s Safer Trucks Programme released 15 new truck ratings during the year. The program received the 2025 Prince Michael International Road Safety Award.
2026 Protocol Changes
Euro NCAP will implement updated rating protocols in 2026. The new framework focuses on four stages of safety:
- Safe driving
- Crash avoidance
- Crash protection
- Post-crash safety
Dr. Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP Secretary General, stated the organization remains committed to providing independent safety ratings as it transitions to the new testing protocols.
Full test results are available at www.euroncap.com.
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