Euro NCAP Crash Test: Chinese Electric Cars Put the Cupra Raval Under Pressure

Euro NCAP has released the first results based on the significantly stricter testing protocols for 2026—and the scores are remarkably high for three new electric cars from Chinese brands: the Aion UT, Geely E2, and Leapmotor B05 each earned five stars. The Cupra Raval achieves this top rating only with the optional safety package. As standard, the sporty compact electric car remains at four stars.

The new evaluation takes a broader view of safety than before: In addition to traditional occupant protection, it places greater emphasis on everyday usability and the ease of use of driver-assistance systems, accident prevention, and post-crash measures. This also makes it important whether key functions are intuitively accessible and how reliably vehicles detect critical situations.

The Cupra Raval demonstrates just how crucial standard equipment has become for the overall result. It achieves a strong 91 percent in crash protection and as high as 95 percent in post-crash safety. However, standard equipment accounts for only 58 percent in the “Safe Driving” category and 66 percent in accident prevention. With the Safety Pack, these figures rise to 72 and 77 percent, respectively—enough for a five-star rating.

Euro NCAP gave positive ratings to, among other things, driver monitoring, seatbelt detection, the center airbag, and performance in side and frontal crashes. The Raval also features effective AEB functions for vehicle-to-vehicle scenarios. The fact that the full level of safety is tied to an optional package remains a point of concern, however—especially since the Raval is set to compete with affordable small electric cars such as the upcoming Kia EV2 and Renault 5.

Geely achieved the highest score in this round for safe driving, at 79 percent. The standard child presence detection system also earned points. However, the E2 lost points due to inconsistent AEB performance in some cases and limited protection for the driver’s legs in an offset frontal crash.

The Leapmotor B05 performs particularly well: 92 percent for crash protection and 77 percent for collision avoidance are top scores in the field. According to Euro NCAP, its emergency braking system performs exceptionally well, especially at high speeds and at intersections; its side-impact protection and center airbag also impress.

At the same time, Euro NCAP confirmed several results based on the 2025 protocols: The Kia K4 receives four stars as standard and five stars with the optional Safety Pack. The Mercedes-Benz CLE Convertible matches the five-star rating of the previously tested CLE Coupé.

The message from this new round of testing is clear: Chinese manufacturers are now not only delivering competitively priced electric cars but also, increasingly, vehicles that meet European safety requirements at a high level as standard. (aum)