Europe’s car safety agency Euro NCAP revealed on Wednesday the safest vehicles in each segment according to its stricter 2025 testing protocol.
The US giant Tesla saw its Model 3 and Model Y receive the highest scores in the ‘Large Family Car’ and ‘Small SUV’ classes, respectively.
The latest results extend a decade-long run of safety awards for the Elon Musk–led company, which has said safety is “at the center of every product” it produces.
Back in 2022, the first generation Model Y had been awarded a five-star rating from Euro NCAP, achieving the highest overall safety score until then – with nearly a 100% score in the Adult Occupant and Safety Assist categories.
All the company’s models have received five-star safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Model 3 Details
Out of 20 newly tested vehicles, Tesla‘s Model 3 was awarded the safest one in the ‘Large Family Car’ class by Euro NCAP.
Across all categories, the fully-electric sedan was the second-highest-scoring vehicle tested under Euro NCAP’s updated criteria last year, only trailing the Mercedes-Benz CLA model.
The Left-Handed Drive (LHD) Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) trim was the unit tested by the organization.
The Model 3 scored 359 out of 400 possible points across all major safety protocols.
It achieved 90% in the adult occupant protection and 93% score in the child occupant protection parameters.
Additionally, the sedan scored 89% in pedestrian protection, whereas it achieved 87% for its Safety Assist systems.
Euro NCAP highlighted the Model 3’s advanced driver assistance features, including Tesla‘s autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system, which performed “well” in several test scenarios.
“The autonomous emergency braking system of the Tesla Model 3 responds to vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists, as well as to other vehicles. In tests of its response to pedestrians, the system performed well,” the safety agency stated in its 2025 report.
The vehicle’s Intelligent Speed Assistance and child presence detection systems were also cited by Euro NCAP as notable safety features.
The same features are also fitted to the Model Y, where they were likewise praised by the organization.
Model Y Details
In the ‘Small SUV’ class, the US giant’s Model Y came out on top, achieving the fourth-strongest result across all categories.
The SUV trim used in Euro NCAP’s test was LHD Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive (AWD).
Across all major safety parameters, the Model Y earned 362 out of 400 possible points.
In the adult occupant protection protocol, the SUV scored 91%, while it achieved 93% for child occupant protection.
The sedan earned an 86% rating for vulnerable road user protection and scored 92% for its Safety Assist systems.
Other Winners
In the ‘City and Supermini’ class, MINI ranked highest with its electric Cooper model.
The Polestar 3 model was named the safest vehicle in the ‘Executive Car’ category.
Smart received the highest score related to ‘Large SUVs’ with its #5 model.
