EuroNCAP, the nonprofit organization responsible for evaluating car safety in Europe, has reviewed its 2022 testing results and highlighted the vehicles that achieved the top safety scores across several categories. The findings emphasize how a mix of familiar names and rising brands performed at the highest level in adult occupant protection, child safety, and crash avoidance technologies.
In the Large Family Car segment, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 earned the top position with an exceptionally high overall score. The test results place it at the forefront for adult occupant protection, reflecting its strong structural integrity, advanced restraint systems, and effective deployment of safety features during impactful scenarios. This score underscores the model’s ability to protect occupants in a wide range of crash conditions and reinforces Hyundai’s commitment to prioritizing passenger safety in family-oriented designs.
For smaller sport utility vehicles and crossovers, the Tesla Model Y stood out for its safety performance in a subset of executive vehicle assessments, while the Tesla Model S also received notable recognition. These results point to Tesla’s emphasis on active safety systems and robust crashworthiness, as well as the brands’ broader approach to integrating autonomous and driver-assistance technologies that can reduce collision risk on the road.
Two Chinese brands also performed at the apex of safety in 2022. The Ora Funky Cat achieved the highest score in the Small Family Car category, illustrating that compact city cars can deliver strong occupant protection and reliable safety features. In the Large SUV class, the Wey Coffee 01 earned a leading score, demonstrating competitive safety performance in a segment where vehicle size and weight are typically major considerations for protection and stability.
EuroNCAP commented that after earlier challenges in penetrating the European market, several Chinese manufacturers are proving they can compete with established European brands on safety credentials. The organization underscored that the latest results show meaningful progress in safety performance across a wider range of brands and vehicle types, reflecting evolving manufacturing practices and investment in protective technologies.
Industry observers note that competition is intensifying as global automakers expand their safety offerings and passenger protection standards. The ongoing push toward more comprehensive active safety systems, better crash performance, and stronger crash-avoidance capabilities continues to shape consumer choices and regulatory expectations in Europe and beyond.
The discussion around 2022 results also includes reflections from leading industry executives about the future landscape for car safety. As the market sees greater emphasis on high-efficiency powertrains paired with advanced safety measures, automakers are increasingly judged by their ability to integrate protective design with intelligent technology. This trend mirrors a broader global movement toward safer, more capable family and urban vehicles that can adapt to diverse driving conditions and urban environments.
Overall, the 2022 EuroNCAP results spotlight a diversified set of leaders from traditional manufacturers to new entrants, all contributing to higher safety benchmarks. The impact of these findings extends beyond ratings, guiding consumer expectations and encouraging continuous improvements in vehicle design, engineering, and testing methodologies across the industry.