Euro NCAP has announced the highest ranking vehicles from its 2022 safety testing programme, which includes some relatively unfamiliar names. 

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, feature two Teslas and two Chinese newcomers to the European market. 

The winners were the Hyundai IONIQ 6, best-in-class award in the Large Family Car category; the ORA Funky Cat in the Small Family Car Category; Tesla Model S in the Executive Car category; Tesla Model Y in the Small Off-Roader category and finally WEY Coffee 01 in the Large Off-Roader category1.

2022 was notable for the number of new Chinese brands coming to Europe and achieving good results. Following some less-than-successful attempts to break into the European market in the past, several manufacturers are showing that Chinese brands can now compete on safety with well-established European brands. Euro NCAP say that in the Small Family Car category, the ORA Funky Cat is exceptionally well equipped and, being at the top of its class, outperformed several familiar brands.

The second Chinese brand car on the list was the WEY Coffee 01, again highly equipped and performing well in all categories. 

The Tesla Model S and Tesla Model Y were both high achievers in Adult Occupant Protection and both vehicles achieved the highest score of 98% in Safety Assist of all the vehicles in this list. Tesla Model S was also the best in class achiever in the Pure Electric category.

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.”