Best-in-class Euro NCAP results for 2022

Euro NCAP has announced its winners from 2022, which the safety organisation says was its busiest-ever year.

The winners are 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.

For the first time, this list includes two cars from Tesla and two Chinese newcomers to the European market.

These results underline the importance of the Euro NCAP five-star rating for establishing safety, credibility, and quality in the European market for vehicle manufacturers in Europe, and beyond.​​​​​

The best-in-class winners are:

Large Family Car: Hyundai Ioniq 6
Small Family Car: ORA Funky Cat
Executive Car: Tesla Model S
Small Off-Roader: Tesla Model Y
Large Off-Roader category: WEY Coffee 01

Euro NCAP said that some categories were not represented as it tested too few cars of that class in 2022.

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 (pictured above) achieved exceptionally high results in Adult Occupant Protection with 97 per cent. 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 6- and 10-year dummies in the frontal offset and side barrier tests and scored maximum points in this part of the assessment.

Last year was notable for the number of new Chinese brands coming to Europe and achieving great 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.

In the Small Family Car category, Euro NCAP says 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 in the best-in-class list is the WEY Coffee 01, again highly equipped and performing well in all categories. It was closely followed by the Lexus RX.

Tesla has made a big impact on the European car market, but the company has also been determined to make a name for its brand in safety performance. The Tesla Model S and Model Y are both high achievers in Adult Occupant Protection and both vehicles achieved the highest score of 98 per cent in Safety Assist of all the vehicles in this list.

The Tesla Model S is also the best-in-class achiever in the Pure Electric category.

Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP 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.”