In what was the final round of tests conducted by Euro NCAP (in 2025, and with the current protocols, since new, even more demanding evaluation methods will come into effect in 2026, as always happens every three years), no less than nineteen models (one of them in a “double dose”) were subjected to the rigorous tests aimed at assessing their respective safety. In the end, eleven earned the maximum rating of five stars, and the remaining four stars, which speaks volumes about the efforts made by manufacturers to make their cars safe for both drivers and passengers, as well as for other road users.
This is clearly reflected in the statements of Aled Williams, Director of the Euro NCAP Program: “As 2025 approaches its end, Euro NCAP continues to witness impressive performances. This is especially gratifying, given that this year more cars were tested than in any other year in the organization’s history. For the most part, car manufacturers continue to respond to our impartial and rigorous tests, improving the safety of their models, generation after generation. With the new protocols coming into effect in 2026, the bar will be set even higher, and we expect a positive response from manufacturers as they continue to prioritize the passive and active safety of consumers”.
Nevertheless, the (also in the literal sense) biggest star of this last testing session of the year was the Mercedes CLA. The new four-door coupe from Stuttgart, available with a range of electric and gasoline engines, achieved noteworthy scores in all categories, which, for Euro NCAP, is proof of its long-standing commitment to safety. Back in 2019, the previous generation CLA had won the coveted Best in Class trophy, and in 2025, it shone both in the protection of adult passengers and in the protection of children, in the protection of the most vulnerable road users (such as pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists), and in safety assistance systems.
Emerging in parentheses is the result obtained in the mentioned categories, the table of vehicles that, in this Euro NCAP testing session, received five stars (including the one produced at the Autoeuropa factory in Palmela) was ordered as follows: Mercedes CLA (94%-89%-93%-85%); Deepal S05 (94%-87%-78%-76%); Porsche Cayenne (91%-89%-81%-79%); VW T-Roc (91%-87%-87%-77%); Mazda CX-5 (90%-89%-93%-83%); Geely Starray EM-i (90%-87%-86%-77%, not sold in Portugal); Hyundai Nexo (90%-85%-76%-80%, not sold in Portugal); Exlantix ET (90%-85%-76%-79%, not sold in Portugal); MG MG4 EV Urban (87%-85%-85%-80%); Kia EV4 with optional safety package (84%-85%-77%-78%); and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (83%-86%-82%-70%).
Immediately following, and deserving of four stars, were Kia EV4 with standard safety equipment (84%-85%-77%-67%); Chery Tiggo (79%-85%-78%-80%, not sold in Portugal); Ebro s400 (79%-85%-78%-80%, not sold in Portugal); Jeep Compass (80%-85%-74%-66%); Kia PV5 passenger (83%-85%-64%-65%); Alpine A390 (74%-85%-80%-77%); Kia PV5 passenger (83%-85%-64%-65%); Renault Clio (79%-82%-80%-73%); Toyota Yaris (72%-84%-83%-72%); and Toyota Aygo X (73%-72%-83%-68%).
