VIDEO: Watch EURO NCAP test the safest cars to drive as Tesla and Chinese newcomers top the list

For the very first time, two cars from Tesla and two Chinese newcomers have made the top five list of EURO NCAP’s safest cars to drive in 2022.

EURO NCAP is the organisation that tests, and provides information on, the safety of new cars. This top five is made up of the cars that achieved the highest overall scores. Based on their results for Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection, Vulnerable User Protection, and Safety Assist technologies.

The winners are:

Hyundai IONIQ 6 

Winning the best-in-class award in the Large Family Car category, the IONIQ 6 achieved exceptionally high results in Adult Occupant Protection with 97%. Fully electric, and with the latest safety technologies, the IONIQ 6 certainly follows the trajectory of recent automotive developments. For child occupants, the IONIQ 6 provided good protection for all critical body regions of both the six and 10-year dummies in the frontal offset and side barrier tests, and scored maximum points in this part of the assessment.

ORA Funky Cat 

Winning in the Small Family Car category, the ORA Funky Cat, is one of two new Chinese manufacturers coming to Europe, which has achieved great results. Exceptionally well equipped and, being at the top of its class, the ORA Funky Cat outperformed several familiar European brands. The Funky Cat has an advanced eCall system which alerts the emergency services in the event of a crash. The car also has a system which applies the brakes after an impact to avoid secondary collisions. In the frontal offset, protection was good for all critical body areas of the 10-year dummy.

Tesla Model S

The Tesla Model S won in the Executive Car category, achieving an exceptional 98% in Safety Assist of all the vehicles in this list. The Model S helped put the Tesla name on the map. Originally launched in 2012, it has since been updated several times and now combines a sleek design with superior performance. With safety features such as Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Collision, Lane Departure Avoidance and more, it’s no surprise that the Tesla Model S scored an impressive 91% in Child Occupant Protection. The Tesla Model S is also the best-in-class achiever in the Pure Electric category.

Tesla Model Y

Tesla’s Model Y was the winner in the Small Off-Roader category, helping the brand make a name for itself in safety performance. There are two variations for Model Y – Standard Range and Long Range. For both, you can opt for seven seats rather than five. Its safety features include Autonomous Emergency Breaking, Lane Support System, Speed Assistance and much more. The Model Y’s safety results is a clear indication of the huge impact that Tesla has had on the European car market due to its design and ethos.

WEY Coffee 01

The second Chinese brand car winning in the best-in-class list under the Large Off-Roader category is the WEY Coffee 01. Again, highly equipped and performing well in all categories, the Coffee 01 has a counter-measure to mitigate against occupant to occupant injuries in such impacts and this performed well in Euro NCAP’s test. Tests on the front seats and head restraints demonstrated good protection against whiplash injuries in the event of a rear-end collision. The Coffee 01 was closely followed by the LEXUS RX.

Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP’s Secretary General, said: “2022 has been one of Euro NCAP’s busiest years yet and we have seen a lot of new car makers and new technologies. 

“It’s clear a good Euro NCAP rating is seen by car manufacturers as critical to success in Europe.  This can only mean better safety equipment and safer cars for European consumers all round.”