What Are the Safest Cars?

After testing numerous new models, Euro NCAP reviews its 2022 results and reveals the list of the safest cars in their segments.

This has now become a well-established tradition. Every year, the organization responsible for crash tests releases the list of the safest cars in their category. This ranking is based on the new models tested during the concluding year. It does not take into account the entire market. Here are the winners in 2022:

• Tesla Model S (categories “luxury car” and “full electric car”)
• Hyundai Ioniq 6 (category “family car”)
• Wey Coffee 01 (category “large SUV”)
• Ora Funky Cat (category “small family vehicle”)
• Tesla Model Y (category “compact SUV”)

All these models received a five-star rating (out of five possible). This score is awarded after evaluating four criteria by Euro NCAP: protection of adults, protection of children, protection of pedestrians, and safety assistance features.

Many models today earn 5 stars, with varying scores across different sub-criteria. However, receiving the maximum score is not automatic. Several models from Stellantis, for example, only managed to get 4 stars.

A Tesla Model S still at the top, 10 years after its launch

Several lessons can be drawn from this review. The first is that Tesla Model S delivers an impressive performance, claiming the title of safest car in two categories. Not bad for a vehicle launched in 2012 and re-tested in 2022 following a facelift. Additionally, it is notable that two Chinese models topped their categories (Wey Coffee 01 and Ora Funky Cat). This is further proof that the Middle Kingdom can now produce cars that meet European standards, including safety standards. Finally, it is worth highlighting the dominance of fully electric vehicles in this ranking (4 out of 5 models). Only Wey Coffee 01 features an internal combustion engine, but its plug-in hybrid system still operates with an electric motor.

Read also: Tesla: Does Autopilot Improve Safety?