Euro NCAP named the safest cars of 2025 in six segments

The Euro NCAP organization recognized the Mercedes-Benz CLA as the safest car of 2025 according to its tests. The model also showed the best result in the compact family cars segment. In addition to Mercedes-Benz, models from Tesla, MINI, smart, and Polestar won in their classes.

What is known

For Euro NCAP, 2025 became the most eventful year in terms of car safety testing: the organization tested a record number of electric vehicles and models equipped with modern driver assistance systems. The leaders by segments were the MINI Cooper E (city cars and superminis), Tesla Model 3 (large family car), Tesla Model Y (compact SUV), smart #5 (large SUV), and Polestar 3 (executive class).

The winners were determined based on the final score, which takes into account the protection of adult passengers, children, vulnerable road users, as well as the effectiveness of electronic safety systems. Only cars with a five-star rating and a standard set of safety systems were considered in the ranking.

The Mercedes-Benz CLA scored 94% of the maximum possible points for adult passenger protection and 93% for pedestrian and cyclist safety. Child protection was rated at 89%, and driver assistance systems at 85%.

Tesla Model 3 and Model Y both received 93% for child protection, while Model Y also scored 92% in the Safety Assist section. The same result — 92% — in the electronic assistants category was demonstrated by the smart #5, which also scored 88% for adult protection.

MINI Cooper E received 89% for adult passenger protection and 79% for driver assistance systems. Polestar 3 showed 90% in the adult protection category and 93% for children.

Euro NCAP emphasizes that the annual rating helps buyers compare the safety level of cars in different classes, tested according to a unified methodology.

Source: Euro NCAP